A fireside chat between moderator Anukool Bharadwaj and Paralympian high jumper Praveen Kumar at the Bombay Gymkhana in Fort, on Tuesday, February 24, went beyond medals. Kumar won gold in the T64 High Jump event at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 in the T44 category. The gold came after he had won a silver medal in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. “In 2020, I heard the anthem of Great Britain play as the para athlete took gold. I was slightly hurt, I thought the next time the Indian national anthem would play,” he said, earning applause from his audience.
Praveen Kumar
Kumar, who is from Gautam Buddha Nagar in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, was born with a congenital defect in his left leg. It is classed as a locomotor disability. He has a brother who is able. Kumar explained, “I recall neighbours, some relatives calling me bechara. There were other cruel barbs like langda, which my parents had borne,” said Kumar as the audience listened, emotional. The 23-year-old said, “I was always a fighter. In Std VI, I used to play volleyball, jump high to smash that ball. I once participated in an athletics high jump competition in school against the able-bodied and won gold. My journey to jump to the highest on the podium began from there,” he concluded.
The disability
Locomotor disability refers to a significant restriction in the movement of limbs (arms or legs) or a functional limitation of bones, joints, or muscles, which hinders a person’s ability to move freely or handle objects.
Paralympian high jumper Praveen Kumar poses with a youngster. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
Barbs endured
>> Langda
>> Bechara with weak bones
>> Relatives, who did not care if he attended family functions, insist he attend today
The athlete’s accomplishments
Silver: 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
Gold: 2024 Paris Paralympics
Winner: Padma Shri and
Khel Ratna
Praveen Kumar’s pantheon of Gods
>> Olympic Gold Quest
>> Coach Dr Satyapal Singh
>> His parents and brother
The future
>> Looking at 2028 Paralympics
>> Hopes to compete in 2032 Paralympics
>> If he remains fit, 2036 Paralympics
His message
>> Use digital/social media in moderation, only so much that it benefits you; overuse/obsession is detrimental
>> Focus laser sharp on one goal. Be determined, and do not accept defeat
