India’s Praveen Kumar win the gold medal at the men’s high jump T64 final during the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Praveen, who had won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, secured gold this time with a jump of 2.08 metres, which is now his new season best.
USA’s Derek Loccident, who set a Paralympic record with a jump of 2.06 metres, won silver. Loccident had cleared that distance in his final attempt of the final, only for Praveen to follow with a jump of the same distance. Praveen’s medal was confirmed. After his jump of 2.06m, Praveen’s next target was that of 2.08m. The 21 year-old cleared the mark of 2.08m, and by doing so, he set a new record as well as broke his personal best of 2.07m. After the 2.08m mark, both Praveen and Derek went for the 2.10m mark but both of them eventually failed to clear that mark.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh State Judo Academy’s boarding scheme player Kapil Parmar created history by winning a bronze medal in the Paralympics-2024 held from 28 August to 8 September in Paris, France. He defeated Brazil’s Elitton de Oliveira 10-0 in a one-sided 60 kg J-1 event late on Thursday evening and added the 25th medal to India’s kitty. For the first time Kapil represented the country in the Paralympics and has given India its first medal in Judo in Paralympic history.
State Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang appreciated Kapil and congratulated him. Kapil is mainly a resident of Sehore. He lost his eyesight due to electric shock in the year 2009-10. Kapil is 80 % blind and he started playing Judo under adverse circumstances. So far Kapil has represented India in 17 international competitions. He has won a total of 13 international medals including 8 gold medals so far.
“ALSO READ: Paris Paralympics 2024: Kapil Parmar Wins Historic Judo Bronze In Men’s 60 KG Category”
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