Asian record holder Nishad Kumar won the silver medal with a best effort of 2.06m in the Men's High Jump T47 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.
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India’s Nishad Kumar made the nation proud on Sunday, after clinching a silver medal in the T47 Final of the Athletics, Men’s High Jump event in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics. Nishad added a second silver medal and the second medal overall in the nation’s tally as well, after paddler Bhavina Patel who delivered a fantastic performance. The 21-year-old matched his personal best as well as the Asian record of 2.06m, winning the first athletics medal of the ongoing prestigious event for India.
Nishad finished behind USA’s Townsend Roderick in second place with compatriot Ram Pal Chahar ending up fifth in the event, to narrowly miss out on a podium finish. While Roderick was the favourite being the world record holder, the Indian was always in the mix for a medal and he duly delivered on expectations astutely.
Ram Pal was the first Indian in action, going for 1.84m to start. Nishad Kumar on the other hand started off at 1.89m. Both the para-athletes managed to clear their respective heights at the first attempt.
This was followed by Nishad registering a first-time clearance for 1.94m as well, as did China’s Chen. The other three athletes going for this mark which includes Ram Pal failed in their first attempts. The Indian managed to clear the mark with his second attempt, equalling his previous best height.
While Nishad Kumar missed 1.98m the first time, he similarly managed to clear it with his second attempt. This meant that in case of a scenario where no one else managed to clear the distance barring the two US athletes, he was set to be confirmed a medal. Ram Pal stuttered at this stage, missing twice at 1.98m.
The Indian failed to clear the distance of 1.98m a third time, which saw him bow out of the event with a new equal personal best score of 1.94m. This brought the equation down to four athletes for three medals, with the clearance order for 2.02 expected to determine glory.
Nishad showcased his prowess at this stage with a first-time clearance of 2.02m. This was indeed critical considering a countback after Chen missed the first attempt, followed by Dallas Wise who similarly failed to match the mark in his first attempt. However, Dallas made amends for the same, clearing it when handed a second opportunity.
World record holder Townsend cleared 2.02 in his first attempt as well, with his first jump of the night. This brought the limelight on Chen who had failed to clear the distance of 2.02m in two attempts. A medal was confirmed for Nishad Kumar in case he failed to clear in the third attempt as well.
The Chinese failed to step up and clear the distance resulting in the world No 3 from India, battling it out with the US-based athletes who were placed first and second in the world rankings. An intense battle for the podium awaited.
Nishad kept up the pressure, clearing 2.06m with his second attempt to equal his personal best and the Asian record as well. With all three athletes targetting the next parameter: 2.09m, the Indian needed to out-perform his personal best which was definitely a stern challenge.
While both Dallas and Nishad missed their three attempts for 2.09m, a medal had been confirmed for India with the joy and confidence reflecting on the Indian’s face. The 21-year-old was eventually awarded the silver medal with Dallas winning the same honour. Townsend won the gold medal with a world record jump of 2.15m.
