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Para-athlete Praveen Kumar, has brought the nation plenty more reason to celebrate having clinched the coveted gold at Paris Paralympics 2024. Praveen put in a masterclass during his participation in the men's high jump T64 final today (September 6), by creating a new Asian record.
The event at Stade de France saw six of the best para-high jump athletes from around the world aim for glory. However, Kumar did not appear fazed by the competition as he was at his absolute best right from the start. He listed his first attempt at 1.89m and cleared it very easily.
Kumar then went on to impress everyone in attendance as he cleared his next two barriers of 1.93m and 1.97m respectively. The 21-year-old did not break a sweat in each of his first three attempts, being one of the only three contenders to have kept a clean slate so far.
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Praveen Kumar started to look in omnious touch with each passing attempt. The Uttar Pradesh-born asserted his dominance by clearing his next three attempts of 2.00, 2.03 and 2.06, all in first tries. His team broke into a huge cheer as he then went even further to clear the 2.08m barrier, which is now a new Asian record.
Praveen Kumar roars on the global sporting stage with a consecutive Paralympic medal at a young age
Praveen Kumar had already done enough to warrant himself of a potential podium finish by the time his next attempt came. Though he failed to cross the 2.10m hurdle, it proved insignificant at the end. Kumar eventually finished with a gold, which is now his second consecutive Paralympic medal.
The silver medal was won by Derek Loccident of USA with a best of 2.06. Temurbek Giyazov of Uzbekistan and Maciej Lepiato of Poland shared the bronze with both para-jumpers marking 2.03m.
India's young sensation, Kumar, has already accomplished unfathomable success as a para-athlete at the age of just 21. Three years ago, he was only 18 when he clinched the silver at Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
