Who is Paramjeet Kumar? All you need to know about the Indian Para weightlifter competing at the Paris Paralympics 2024

Paramjeet Kumar is an Indian Paralympic weightlifter known for his inspiring journey and remarkable achievements in para-powerlifting. He has qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics and will compete in the men's up to 49 kg category.

Kumar was born in Punjab, India. He will make his debut in the Paralympics in Paris 2024. Despite his passion for sports, Kumar faced many difficulties early in life due to his physical disability. However, he overcame all the odds and started training under the guidance of Rajinder Singh Rahelu, who is India's only Paralympic medalist in powerlifting.

Paramjeet Kumar marked the beginning of his successful international career in 2018 at the Asian Para Games, where he won a bronze medal with a sequence of 140kg, 145kg, and 150kg in his first, second, and third attempts respectively.

In 2021, he won another bronze medal in the men's 49 kg category and became the first Indian Para Powerlifter to win a medal at the World Para Powerlifting Championships. Kumar couldn't complete his second and third rounds, however, his first attempt of 158kg was enough to secure him a medal.

At the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships, Paramjeet elevated his performance by winning a gold medal in the senior category, lifting a total weight of 462kg. This was India's first-ever gold medal at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.

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How did Paramjeet Kumar qualify for the Paris Paralympics 2024?

Paramjeet Kumar qualified for the Paris Paralympics 2024 by securing a silver medal in the men's 49 kg category at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Egypt alongside other Indian powerlifter Ashok Kumar who also secured a silver medal in the same event.

Paramjeet showed sheer strength with lifts of 160kg and 166kg in his first two attempts. In the third attempt, he couldn't complete his lift narrowly missing out on gold to Jordan’s Omar SH Qarada whose lifts were 170kg, 172kg, and 176kg.

However, the first two attempts were enough to secure Paramjeet a silver medal and a spot for the Paris Paralympics 2024.