In a historic achievement for India, Praveen Kumar clinched the gold medal in the men’s high jump T64 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The 21-year-old para-athlete delivered a remarkable performance, jumping a season-best 2.08 meters to secure the top spot. This win brought India’s total gold medal count at these games to six, the highest ever achieved in a single Paralympic edition. Previously, India’s best gold tally was five, achieved at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Kumar’s victory came as he outperformed competitors including the USA’s Derek Loccident (2.06m) and Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov (2.03m). Kumar started his competition at 1.89 meters, clearing it on his first attempt. Despite raising the bar to 2.10 meters, both Kumar and Loccident were unable to clear it, though Kumar’s earlier jumps secured him the gold.
This gold medal also marks a personal best for Kumar, who previously won bronze at the 2023 World Championships. The T64 classification is for athletes with moderate movement impairment in one lower leg or missing one or both legs below the knee. Kumar competes under T44, for those with movement affected in one lower leg.
Kumar’s journey to becoming a para-athlete was fraught with challenges. As a child, he struggled with feelings of inadequacy compared to his peers. To overcome these feelings, he engaged in sports and discovered a passion for volleyball. His path took a pivotal turn when he participated in a high jump event at an able-bodied competition, which highlighted the opportunities for athletes with disabilities and set him on a new, inspiring course.
Praveen Kumar is now the third high jumper, following Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu, to achieve a medal in Paris. His success at the Paris Paralympics 2024 represents a significant milestone for Indian para-athletics and showcases the remarkable talent and determination of athletes with disabilities.