India’s Praveen Kumar gained the gold medal within the Males’s Excessive Soar T64 with an Asian File effort of two.08 metres on the ongoing Paralympics Video games on Friday. The 21-year-old added a sixth gold to India’s tally to take the general depend to 26, which incorporates 9 silver and 11 bronze medals. Praveen, who gained silver in his Paralympics debut in Tokyo three years in the past, not solely bagged his second consecutive medal but in addition set the Asian File within the course of. USA’s Derek Loccident claimed silver whereas Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov clinched bronze with efforts of two.06m (Paralympic File) and a pair of.03m (private greatest) respectively.

Praveen began his marketing campaign within the closing with an effort of 1.89m after skipping earlier makes an attempt of 1.80m and 1.85m respectively. The Indian para-athlete went on to clear all his efforts in a single take until 2.08m earlier than failing to clear the two.10m in three makes an attempt. Nevertheless, that did not hamper his medal color as he completed on the high.

Born in Govindgarh (Noida), Uttar Pradesh, Praveen achieved exceptional success on the worldwide stage, notably changing into the youngest para-athlete to win a medal on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. There, he secured a silver medal within the Males’s Excessive Soar T64 class with a formidable soar of two.07 metres, marking a big milestone for Indian athletics.

Praveen’s journey to turn into a para-athlete was fraught with challenges. Born with a brief leg, he initially struggled with emotions of inferiority in comparison with his friends. To fight his insecurities, he engaged in sports activities with buddies and found a ardour for volleyball.

Nevertheless, his life took a pivotal flip when he participated in a excessive soar occasion at an able-bodied athletics competitors, which uncovered him to the chances accessible for athletes with disabilities.

Underneath the steerage of Dr. Satyapal Singh, a para-athletics coach who recognised Praveen’s potential, he shifted his focus to the excessive soar. This choice proved fruitful, as he went on to win a gold medal on the Asian Para Video games 2022, breaking the Asian file with a soar of two.05 meters.

Praveen’s earlier accolades embody a silver medal from the World Para Athletics Junior Championship in 2019 held in Nottwil, Switzerland, and a gold medal with an Asian File on the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix 2021 in Dubai.

Most just lately, he gained a bronze medal on the World Para Athletics Championship 2023, additional solidifying his standing as a number one athlete in his class, and certified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.