Praveen Kumar aims for 2.10m at World Championships

Praveen Kumar, a para high jumper from Uttar Pradesh, is focused on achieving a personal best of 2.10 meters at the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships. The 21-year-old athlete has faced challenges due to a congenital condition that caused his left leg to be shorter, but he has excelled in his sport. Praveen made headlines at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where he won a gold medal by clearing 2.08 meters in the men’s high jump T64 class. He previously won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 with a jump of 2.07 meters. His achievements earned him the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award earlier this year, making him the only para athlete to receive this honor. After his victory in Paris, Praveen reflected on his journey, stating that winning silver in Tokyo was his first major success. He emphasized the importance of maintaining his achievements and staying motivated. "Once you achieve your goal, you have to maintain it," he said. Looking ahead, Praveen is preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships, which will take place in September and October in New Delhi. He aims to win gold and improve his height to 2.10 meters. Praveen has also competed against able-bodied athletes and believes in challenging himself. "The limitation is in the mind," he noted, encouraging a positive outlook on achieving goals.