Para-athlete Nishad Kumar Jumps High to Win Back-to-Back Silvers for India
Indian high jumper Nishad Kumar has proved his mettle once again at the international stage by winning silver medals in successive Paralympics. On Sunday, the 24-year old clinched the silver medal in men's high jump T47 event at the ongoing Paris Paralympics with a best jump of 2.04m.
Hailing from a small village in Himachal Pradesh, Nishad has overcome tremendous challenges in his journey. As a child, he lost his right hand in an accident but was determined to pursue his dreams. Though he cherished serving the nation in the army as a kid, fate had other plans for him. He soon took up athletics in school and demonstrated his talent and dedication.
Despite losing a hand at a young age, Nishad's never-say-die attitude and confidence in his abilities have helped him evolve into a world-class para-athlete. Through perseverance and tireless training under renowned coaches, he steadily improved his skills and performance over the years. In 2019, he registered a personal best of 2.0m and grabbed international attention.
At last year's Tokyo Paralympics, Nishad secured a silver with a jump of 2.06m. He then bettered his personal best to 2.14m. In 2022, he clinched gold at the Asian Para Games with a new Asian Record. Riding high on success, Nishad recently trained for months in the US to peak for Paris.
On Sunday, competing against the world's best, Nishad soared to a height of 2.04m to clinch his second successive Paralympic silver. Though he missed out on gold, the small-town boy has made the entire nation proud with his grit and determination to succeed against all odds. His journey serves as an inspiration for others with disabilities.
