Nishad Kumar Claims Dual Gold Medals at Asian Para Games

Paralympic medallist Nishad Kumar secured the high jump T47 gold medal at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics stadium in Japan, following his earlier victory in the long jump event. This achievement makes him only the third Indian athlete to capture two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games, following Ankur Dhama and Sheetal Devi.

The Journey

At eight years old, Kumar lost his lower right arm in a fodder cutting machine while assisting his mother on their family farm in Badaun, Himachal Pradesh. Despite this accident, he continued pursuing sports and previously won the men's T47 high jump title at the World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi with a 2.14m jump. Following that victory, he spoke with coach Jeremy Fischer in California about entering long jump competitions regularly. Due to recurring knee pain, Kumar adjusted his training schedule this year to focus seventy percent on long jump and thirty percent on high jump.

Training and Technique

Working under Fischer at Chula Vista, Kumar incorporated quick reaction drills and gym strength work to improve his speed and ground reaction. He used carbon fibre prosthetics worth four lakh rupees in competition and training for the long jump to maintain balance and aid in landing, though he removes them when competing in high jump. During his time in the United States, he also studied techniques used by international jumpers like Miltiadis Tentoglou and Mattia Furlani.

Context

Athletes with physical impairments often adapt specialized training regimens and assistive equipment to compete across multiple track and field disciplines. Balancing high-impact events like high jump and long jump requires careful management of physical strain, particularly when dealing with joint pain. Looking ahead, Kumar aims to win multiple medals at the upcoming Los Angeles Paralympic Games.