• Friday, March 29, 2024

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Paralympics: Teen Pradeep Kumar wins silver in high jump

Indian athlete Praveen Kumar celebrates after winning silver in high jump at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on September 3, 2021. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

By: Shubham Ghosh

INDIA had another major success at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympic Games on Friday (3) when debutant Pradeep Kumar won silver in the men’s high jump T64 event, taking the country’s total medal tally to 11, its best ever.

Kumar, 18, set a new Asian record with a 2.07-metre jump to finish behind Great Britain’s Jonathan Broom-Edwards, who put up the season’s best effort with a 2.10-metre jump. Poland’s Maciej Lepiato, who was the champion at the Rio Games in 2016, finished with bronze with a 2.04-metre jump.

ALSO READ: Avani Lekhara wins gold in shooting 

“I can’t explain how I feel. This jump was ecstatic. This is my first Paralympic Games and I am waiting to see what lies ahead,” Kumar said after his feat. This is also his best personal performance and the first major medal since he took up the sport in 2019. A resident from Noida in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Kumar is now the youngest medal winner for the Indian contingent.

Jhajharia bags silver, Gurjar bronze

“My confidence was boosted immensely after I jumped 2m. It was a little low before, but after I jumped over that 2m mark, it just skyrocketed,” he said, adding, “Now, I’ve done 2.07m, and that is a massive leap. I credit my coach with this feat.”

T64 classification is held for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position. T44, the disability classification that Kumar belongs to but is eligible to compete in T64, is for athletes with a leg deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in the legs. Kumar’s impairment, which is congenital, affects the bones that connect his hip to his left leg.

India have so far claimed two gold, six silver and three bronze medals at this Paralympics. Kumar is the second teenager for India after shooter Avani Lekhara to win a medal at the Games. In athletics, India have so far won five silver medals besides a bronze.

President, PM congratulate Kumar

Indian president Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Kumar saying his impressive performance was an inspiration for all budding athletes.

“Impressive performance by Praveen Kumar at #Paralympics. Your silver medal in men’s high jump with a new Asian record has brought joy to every sport loving Indian. Your success will inspire all budding athletes. Heartiest congratulations. May you keep on achieving new milestones!” Kovind tweeted.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi lauded Kumar’s achievement saying it was the result of hard work and unparalleled dedication.

“Proud of Praveen Kumar for winning the Silver medal at the #Paralympics. This medal is the result of his hard work and unparalleled dedication. Congratulations to him. Best wishes for his future endeavours,” Modi said in a tweet.

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