Praveen Kumar Wins Gold In Men's High Jump At Paris Paralympics

Praveen Kumar has won the gold medal for India in Men's High Jump at the Paris Paralympics. Praveen Kumar managed to win the gold medal for India after he defeated the USA athelete. Praveen Kumar was able to manage a jump of 2.08m. Praveen Kumar had previously won the silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. 

Men's High Jump Podium

Tokyo Games silver medallist Praveen Kumar of India smashed the Asian record to clinch the gold medal in the men's high jump T64 event at the Paris Paralympics on Friday.

The 21-year-old from Noida, who was born with a short leg, produced a season best jump of 2.08m in the six-jumper field to finish on top of the podium.

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. 

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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. 

Who Is Praveen Kumar? 

Praveen Kumar was born in Noida and suffers from a T64 lower limb deficiency. He has made significant contributions to India in the high jump category. He became the youngest Paralympian to win a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics after he secured a silver medal in the T64 category of men's high jump. 

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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.