Paris Paralympics: High Jumper Praveen Gives India 6th Gold, Tokyo Tally Surpassed

New Delhi: India bagged their sixth gold medal at the Paris Paralympics as Praveen Kumar topped the men’s high jump T64 event on Friday.

Having already bettered their Tokyo performance in total medal haul, India have now surpassed their gold count in the Paralympics three years ago.

Praveen’s winning jump of 2.08 metres was not his career-best effort, it was the best by an Asian para athlete.

The 21-year-old Praveen thus improved the colour of his medal from three years ago, having claimed silver at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Praveen, who is from Jewar, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, took a liking for athletics despite his congenital impairment which affected the bones connecting his hip to the left leg.

With Praveen’s gold, India currently have 26 medals – 6 gold, 9 silver, 11 bronze – to be at 14th place in the overall standings.

Indian para sportspersons have surpassed their previous best Paralympics showing of 19 medals, which consisted of 5 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze.