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Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal in the men’s high jump T64 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with an impressive jump of 2.08 meters, marking his second consecutive Paralympic medal. The 21-year-old from Noida had previously won silver at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where he achieved a personal best of 2.07 meters. This victory continues his remarkable journey on the international stage.

Praveen became the second Indian, after Mariyappan Thangavelu, to win a Paralympic gold in high jump. Competing in a six-athlete field, Praveen, born with a shorter leg, delivered a season-best performance, outjumping USA's Derek Loccident, who claimed silver with 2.06 meters, and Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov, who took bronze with a personal best of 2.03 meters.

Praveen Kumar clinches gold ???? at #Paris2024 with his season's best jump of 2.08 m ????

Watch the #Paralympics LIVE on #JioCinema ????#ParalympicsOnJioCinema #JioCinemaSports #ParalympicsParis2024 #HighJump pic.twitter.com/k6zLWLU9XD

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 6, 2024

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Praveen competes under the T44 classification, for athletes with lower leg movement affected to a low or moderate degree, while the T64 category is for those with moderate movement impairment in one lower leg or missing one or both legs below the knee.

This achievement adds to India’s growing medal tally at the Paris Paralympics, which now stands at 26 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and 11 bronze. Praveen's victory also follows the success of fellow Indian high jumpers Sharad Kumar (silver) and Mariyappan Thangavelu (bronze) in the men's high jump T63 event.

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Play. PRA(WIN). Progress✅????

What an extraordinary performance from Para High Jumper Praveen Kumar!

He upgrades his #Tokyo2020 Silver to Gold with a tremendous Personal Best leap of 2.08m and boosts #TeamIndia’s rankings in the #ParisParalympics2024 medals tally.

Savour… pic.twitter.com/2zRuPWdZls

— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) September 6, 2024

Praveen’s journey to the top was filled with challenges. Born in Govindgarh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, he initially faced insecurities due to his shorter leg but found solace and purpose in sports, particularly volleyball. A turning point came when he participated in a high jump competition for able-bodied athletes, sparking his transition to para-athletics under the guidance of coach Dr. Satyapal Singh.

Since then, Praveen’s career has seen a series of milestones, including a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games, where he set a new Asian record with a 2.05-meter jump. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championship and previously claimed a silver medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Junior Championship in Switzerland.

Praveen’s consistent performances have solidified his reputation as one of India’s top para-athletes, and his gold in Paris adds yet another chapter to his inspiring story.