New Delhi: Praveen Kumar added another medal to his kitty by striking gold in the men’s high jump T64 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Friday. Praveen bettered his silver-winning performance from Tokyo by smashing the Asian record to win the gold medal at Stade de France.
The 21-year-old claimed the top prize courtesy of a season-best jump of 2.08m in the six-jumper field.
Absolutely magnificent GOLD 🥇 from Praveen Kumar!! 🧨🧨🧨🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥
PB, Asian Record, never looked in any trouble, completely clean and dominating performance!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Just STELLAR!! BEAUTIFUL!! 🥳🥳🥳
And with that, we have surpassed Tokyo gold tally of 5!! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Kapil Choudhary (@kapil857) September 6, 2024
Athletics, #ParisParalympics: C’MON, C’MON!!! PRAVEEN KUMAR WINS A GOLD MEDAL IN THE MEN’S HJ IN THE T64/T44 CLASSIFICATION.. #6 FOR INDIA
Praveen had a clear card all the way through till 2.08m (Area Record).. What an extraordinary performance from him..
👏👏👏🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🥇 pic.twitter.com/vlGjtTJB1A
— Vishank Razdan (@VishankRazdan) September 6, 2024
USA’s Derek Loccident won the silver with a best jump of 2.06m while Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov took home bronze with a personal best jump of 2.03m.
Courtesy of Praveen’s top-podium finish, India surpassed its previous-best gold medal haul of five at the Tokyo Paralympics.
India’s medal tally swelled to 26 as the Asian nation surpassed Canada to take the 14th spot in the table.
Who is Praveen Kumar?
Born on 15th May 2003 in Govindgarh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Praveen’s life has been fraught with challenges. He was born with a short leg but fought his insecurities by engaging in sports with friends and discovered a passion for volleyball. However, his whole life turned upside down when he participated in a high jump event at an able-bodied athletics competition. The tournament made him realise the possibilities available for athletes with disabilities.
He later switched to high jump after coming in contact with Dr. Satyapal Singh, a para-athletics coach. He excelled in the discipline straightaway, winning the gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2022, breaking the Asian record with a jump of 2.05 meters.
Praveen has also won a World Para Athletics Junior Championship in 2019 besides 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.
Three years ago, he became the youngest para-athlete, aged 18, to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Praveen snared a silver medal with a superb jump of 2.07 meters, marking the great beginning of a glorious career.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: 21-year-old Noida boy scripted history by winning India’s sixth gold medal of the ongoing campaign. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
