Paris 2024 Paralympics: Praveen Kumar claims GOLD in men's high jump T64 event; 26th medal for India

Adding another gold to India’s medal count at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is Praveen Kumar, who successfully jumped 2.08m in the Men’s High Jump - T64 Final. Although he had already secured the gold medal, he made three attempts to clear 2.10m but failed. However, this does not diminish his achievement.

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With this victory, India’s overall tally at the Paris Paralympics has reached 26 medals—seven more than the country won in Tokyo three years ago. While Praveen Kumar claimed the gold medal, which is India’s sixth gold at the Paris Paralympics, USA’s Derek Loccident took the silver. The bronze medal was shared between Uzbekistan’s Giyazov Temurbek and Poland’s Maciej Lepiato.

Praveen cleared 1.97m, 2.00m, 2.03m, 2.06m, and 2.08m, all on his first attempts in Paris. Interestingly, the Tokyo silver medalist had finished 4th at the World Championships in Kobe this year and was far from his personal best.

About Praveen:

Born with a short leg, Praveen initially played Volleyball but then shifted his focus to the high jump—a pivotal decision. He won a gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2022, setting a new Asian record with a jump of 2.05 meters.

His impressive international medal haul includes a silver from the World Para Athletics Junior Championships in 2019 in Nottwil, Switzerland, and a gold with an Asian record from the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix in 2021 in Dubai.

At the World Para Athletics Championships 2023, he won bronze, securing his place at the Paris Paralympics.

With this victory, India has now risen to 26 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which include six golds, nine silvers, and eleven bronzes, propelling the country to 14th place in the medals tally.

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