Praveen Kumar’s Gold Triumph: India’s Record-Breaking High Jumper

India's Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal in the men's high jump T64 at the 2023 Paralympics, setting an Asian record with a 2.08m jump. His victory pushed India's medal tally to six golds, marking the country's best Paralympic performance. Kumar's journey highlights the challenges faced by para-athletes.

India's Praveen Kumar dazzled the world with a record-breaking performance in the men's high jump T64 event, clinching a Paralympic gold on Friday. Kumar, 21, hailing from Noida, set an Asian record with a best jump of 2.08 meters, leading the six-men field to finish atop the podium.

America's Derek Loccident secured the silver with a 2.06-meter leap, while Uzbekistan's Temurbek Giyazov, accomplishing a personal best of 2.03 meters, took home the bronze. This victory elevates India's position to the 14th spot with six gold, nine silver, and eleven bronze medals, marking its best tally in a single Paralympic Games edition.

Kumar's journey from a boy grappling with insecurities due to his congenital impairment to a world championship bronze medallist and now Paralympic gold medallist is truly inspirational. His triumph in Paris makes him the third Indian high jumper, following Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu, to win a medal at the event.

(With inputs from agencies.)