Tokyo Paralympics: Praveen Kumar wins silver in Men’s Hugh Jump T64

Praveen Kumar clinched the silver medal in the men’s high jump T64 event of the Tokyo Paralympics, taking India’s haul to 11.

The 18-year-old Kumar, competing in his debut Paralympics, set a new Asian record with a 2.07m jump. (Image Credit: Twitter/@Tokyo2020hi)
By Arnab Mukherji | Sep 3, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Praveen Kumar helped India record its 11th medal in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, after winning a silver in the Men’s High Jump T64 event. Praveen is just 18 years old but already a Paralympic medalist, having delivered a personal best jump of 2.07m which is a new Asian record. The T44 athlete started off the event with a previous best mark of 2.05m, which reflected in his confidence as the 18-year-old cleared his first mark of 1.88m on his first attempt and was tied at the top after the first jump.

Praveen maintained the surge from that point, going about clearing marks with impressive persistence and accuracy. The para-athlete’s efforts eventually bore fruit as he confirmed a medal for India after clearing 1.97m with the first attempt. While the three athletes finishing in the top three managed to clear 2.01m, reigning world champion Jonathon Broom-Edwards was topping the charts with a clean card. Praveen was placed joint second with Poland’s Maciej Lepiato who is a world record holder.

Praveen delivers stunning performance

The Indian continued to battle it out effectively with a first-time clearance at 2.04m. While his Polish and British competitors had recorded higher personal best tallies previously, the same hardly mattered to Praveen who showcased determination. All three para-athletes managed to clear 2.04m, increasing the excitement.

The Indian had to maintain the sublime performance so far at this stage, and he duly delivered clearing 2.07m with his second attempt to register a new personal best as well as an Asian record. It would have been a gold medal for Praveen, had Jonathan failed to clear 2.07m. However, the Britisher succeeded on his third attempt raising the bar to 2.10m. The Indian had delivered a sensational performance till then and it was enough to seal a silver medal despite failing to clear 2.10m.

While Jonathon won the gold medal, Maciej was awarded the bronze rounding off an amazing event. Praveen is now India’s youngest medallist, which is certainly awe-inspiring, to say the least.

India’s stellar performance in Tokyo Paralympics

India has witnessed stellar performances from its para-athletes with the likes of Avani Lekhara, Yogesh Kathuniya, Sumit Antil, Devendra Jhajharia making the nation proud.

Avani scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympics or even the Olympics. She achieved this unique distinction in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, delivering a sensational performance. The 19-year-old emerged victorious with a total score of 249.6, equalling the current world record.

She further scripted a new landmark in the history of the Paralympics, following her sensational tally registered under pressure. Avani’s 249.6 marks the highest score ever recorded in shooting in the prestigious ongoing event, showcasing her brilliance when it mattered the most.

Participating in the F64 category, javelin thrower Sumit Antil clinched the gold medal with a world record throw of 68.55 meters. Legendary Indian para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia made the nation proud by winning a silver medal, in the F46 Final of the men’s Javelin Throw event. Yogesh was making his maiden appearance in an edition of the Paralympics but dominated the Men’s Discus Throw F56 event, delivering a confident performance to win silver.