Who is Dipesh Kumar? All you need to know about the Indian para-athlete competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympics

With India sending its largest-ever contingent to the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics, para javelin thrower Dipesh Kumar is among those looking to make a mark in their Paralympic debuts.

19-year-old Dipesh is one of the youngest members among the 84 para-athletes representing India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which will take place between August 28 and September 8.

Making his debut in the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Dipesh will hope to make it one to remember by giving a stiff challenge to the best para-athletes from around the world in the men’s javelin throw F54 event, which will take place on September 6.

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Dipesh Kumar’s career in brief

Dipesh Kumar was born in Uttar Pradesh in 2005. The wheelchair-bound para-athlete competes in the F54 category, which is reserved for those who need to compete in field events from a seated position.

Despite a short while in his sporting career, Dipesh Kumar has already made a mark by clinching three gold medals in national-level tournaments. The para-athlete had his first taste of breakout success in the 2023 Khelo India Para Games at New Delhi, winning a gold medal.

He then took part in the 22nd National Para Athletics Championships 2024 in Goa, winning an unprecedented three medals in three different events. The para-athlete won a silver medal in the shot put event, a bronze medal in the discus throw event, and a gold medal in the javelin throw event.

Dipesh Kumar also took part in the 6th Indian Open Para Athletics Championships 2024 in Bengaluru. He won another three medals in three events, with a gold medal in discus throw, and javelin throw events, as well as a silver medal in the shot put event. He also created a new national record in javelin throw in his category, registering a throw of 27.90m.

He then took part in the 18th Tunis International Athletics Meeting in the 2024 IPC Grand Prix, finishing in the fourth position in javelin throw and shot put events. As a result of his successful performances, he was inducted into the Samarth Para-Sports Programme of the GoSports Foundation in July.

Now in France, the up-and-coming para-athletics star will face the biggest challenge of his career yet and will hope to give his best in his Paralympic debut.