Praveen Kumar & Kapil Parmar win medals for India at Paris Paralympics

India’s athletes have made the nation proud at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, with two standout performances from Praveen Kumar and Kapil Parmar, who added to the country’s impressive medal tally.

Kapil Parmar’s Historic Bronze in Judo

Kapil Parmar etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in judo. Competing in the men’s – 60 kg J1 class, Kapil clinched a bronze medal, marking a significant achievement for Indian para-judo. The 24-year-old judoka from Shivor village in Madhya Pradesh displayed exceptional skill and determination at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

In the bronze medal match, Kapil faced Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira, and with a swift ippon, he secured a 10-0 victory. The J1 category in judo includes athletes with vision impairments, and Kapil’s journey to this victory has been nothing short of inspiring.

Kapil’s path to the podium was not easy. As a child, he suffered an electric shock that severely impaired his vision. Despite this setback, Kapil continued to pursue his passion for judo, a sport he had embraced even before the incident. His perseverance paid off, as he earned a silver medal at the Asian Para Games and now a historic bronze at the Paralympics. Kapil’s triumph is not just a personal victory but a testament to his resilience, especially considering the financial hardships he faced, which at one point led him to run a tea stall to support his dreams.

Kapil’s performance at Paris 2024 began with a decisive 10-0 win over Venezuela’s Marcos Dennis Blanco, a World Championships bronze medallist, in the quarter-finals. Although Kapil narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a loss to Iran’s Seyed Meysam Banitaba Khorram Abadi, his bronze medal is a significant milestone for Indian judo. This medal also marked India’s 25th at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, making it the country’s most successful Paralympic campaign to date.

 

Praveen Kumar’s Golden Leap in High Jump

Meanwhile, Praveen Kumar added a glittering gold to India’s medal haul in the men’s high jump T64 class. The 21-year-old para-athlete soared to victory with a leap of 2.08m, setting a new Asian record and earning India’s sixth gold medal at these Games—the highest number of golds India has ever won in a single Paralympic edition.

Praveen, who was born with a short leg and initially pursued volleyball, found his calling in high jump after impressing in junior competitions. His determination and hard work paid off in Paris as he cleared all his jumps, from 1.89m to 2.08m, on his first attempt. Although he attempted 2.10m, he couldn’t clear it. Nevertheless, his 2.08m jump was enough to secure gold, adding to his silver from Tokyo 2020, where he also set an Asian record.

Praveen’s competitors included the USA’s Derek Loccident, who set a Paralympic record with a 2.06m jump, and Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov, who claimed bronze. Praveen’s success underscores his remarkable talent and the strong support system provided by his coach, family, and the entire nation.

Praveen’s achievements at such a young age are extraordinary. He was the youngest Indian para-athlete to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and has continued his golden streak with a win at the Asian Para Games and a bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023.

 

Both Praveen Kumar and Kapil Parmar have demonstrated immense dedication and perseverance, bringing glory to India on the global stage. Their victories at the Paris Paralympics are a source of pride and inspiration for the entire nation.