New Delhi: India added sixth gold medal to their tally as Praveen Kumar finished on top of the podium in the men’s high jump T64 event at Paris Paralympics 2024 with Asian record effort of 2.08m on Friday. This was India’s 26th medal overall as Kumar bettered his silver medal from Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.
The 21-year-old from Noida, who was born with a short leg, produced a season-best jump in the six-athlete field to finish with gold. USA’s Derek Loccident claimed the silver with a best jump of 2.06m while Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov, who notched a personal best 2.03m, finished third.
T64 is for athletes with movement moderately affected in one lower leg or the absence of one or both legs below the knee. While T44, under which Praveen is categorised, is for athletes with movement affected at a low or moderate degree in one lower leg.
Born in Govindgarh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, he achieved remarkable success on the international stage, notably becoming the youngest para-athlete to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Praveen’s journey to become a para-athlete was fraught with challenges. He initially struggled with feelings of inferiority compared to his peers. To combat his insecurities, he engaged in sports with friends and discovered a passion for volleyball.
However, his life took a pivotal turn when he participated in a high jump event at an able-bodied athletics competition, which exposed him to the possibilities available for athletes with disabilities. Under the guidance of Dr. Satyapal Singh, a para-athletics coach who recognized Praveen’s potential, he shifted his focus to high jump. This decision proved fruitful, as he went on to win a gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2022, breaking the Asian record with a jump of 2.05 meters.
Praveen’s accolades also include a silver medal from the World Para Athletics Junior Championship in 2019 held in Nottwil, Switzerland, and a gold medal with an Asian record from the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix in 2021 in Dubai. Most recently, he won a bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championship 2023, further solidifying his status as a leading athlete in his category, qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.