Paris Paralympics 2024: India achieves record medal tally as Praveen lifts gold in high jump | Who is he?
Paris Paralympics 2024: Praveen Kumar made India proud once again by securing the gold medal in the men's high jump T64 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, delivering an outstanding performance. He cleared 2.08 metre to claim his second consecutive Paralympic medal.
This triumph followed his silver medal-winning performance at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where he had set a personal best of 2.07 metre.
The 21-year-old athlete hails from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and has shown remarkable determination throughout his career. Born with a congenital condition resulting in one leg being shorter than the other, Praveen’s journey to success has been filled with challenges. Despite his physical limitations, he has consistently pushed the boundaries, becoming only the second Indian, after Mariyappan Thangavelu, to win gold in Paralympic high jump events. His gold-medal-winning jump in Paris was a season-best 2.08 metre, accomplished in a competitive field of six athletes.
Praveen Kumar clinches gold ???? at #Paris2024 with his season's best jump of 2.08 m ????
Watch the #Paralympics LIVE on #JioCinema ????#ParalympicsOnJioCinema #JioCinemaSports #ParalympicsParis2024 #HighJump pic.twitter.com/k6zLWLU9XD — JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 6, 2024
In a tightly contested event, Praveen Kumar’s main competitors included USA’s Derek Loccident, who finished with a silver medal after clearing 2.06 metre, and Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov, who secured bronze with a personal best of 2.03 metre.
Praveen, competing in the T44 classification for athletes with lower leg movement impairments, once again demonstrated his skill and mental strength. The T64 category, in which he participated, is designated for athletes with moderate movement impairments in one or both lower legs, or those with lower limb amputations.
Praveen’s performance in Paris is part of an ongoing success story for Indian para-athletes. His gold medal contributed to India’s impressive medal tally at the 2024 Paralympics, which now stands at 26 medals: six gold, nine silver, and 11 bronze. Praveen became the third Indian high jumper to reach the podium in Paris, joining Sharad Kumar, who earned silver, and Mariyappan Thangavelu, who took bronze in the men’s high jump T63 event.
A Journey of Resilience and Determination
Praveen Kumar’s journey to becoming a Paralympic champion is a story of resilience, overcoming adversity, and self-belief. Born in Govindgarh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Praveen had to confront not only his physical challenges but also the emotional struggles that came with his condition. Growing up with a shorter leg, he initially felt insecure and inferior compared to his peers. However, he found solace and strength in sports, particularly volleyball, which allowed him to channel his energy and build his confidence.
It was during an able-bodied athletics competition that Praveen discovered his true calling. Competing in a high jump event, he realised that athletes with disabilities also had significant opportunities in sports. His talent did not go unnoticed, and he soon caught the attention of Dr Satyapal Singh, a renowned para-athletics coach who recognised Praveen's potential in high jump. Under Dr Singh's mentorship, Praveen shifted his focus entirely to the high jump, a decision that transformed his athletic career.
Praveen’s first major breakthrough came in 2019 when he won a silver medal at the World Para Athletics Junior Championship in Nottwil, Switzerland. This was a defining moment for the young athlete, as it provided him with international recognition and the motivation to continue pushing his limits. In 2021, he further cemented his position as a top para-athlete by winning gold at the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix in Dubai, setting a new Asian record with a jump of 2.05 meters. This victory was a prelude to his silver-medal performance at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where he cleared 2.07 metre, marking a milestone for Indian para-athletics.
- With inputs from agencies
