Paralympics 2024: Who is Sharad Kumar? - Star athlete to win Silver in Men's High Jump T63

The Indian contingent continued their fine performance during the Paris Paralympic games. Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu won the Silver and Bronze medals during the tournament. USA’s Ezra Frech won the gold medal with an overall jump of 1.94 meters. 

Sharad Kumar jumped for a total distance of 1.88 meters while Thangavelu jumped 1.85 meters. The two latest medals have given India a total of 20 medals and have seen them being placed 19th in the table. So far the Indians have won three gold medals, 8 silver medals and 10 bronze medals. 

It was an amazing effort by the Indian star as he jumped high and outdid himself. Although he didn’t win the Gold Medal the effort from Sharad Kumar got huge praise from everyone watching the event. 

Also Check: Mariyappan Thangavelu does it again; grabs another glorious Paralympics medal

Sharad Kumar once again makes the country proud

Speaking after making the nation proud, Sharad Kumar said, “That was an amazing competition. All the athletes pushed each other to perform to the best, especially Ezra and myself. This was the toughest competition I have faced in my life. It was the greatest event I have ever attended."

At the age of two, Sharad Kumar had to undergo polio but that didn’t deter him. Sharad Kumar worked hard on his game and overcame all the odds. During the Tokyo Games, in 2020, Kumar jumped 1.83 meters and this jump during the 2024 Games was his best. Then aged 28, Sharad Kumar had won the bronze medal for India in Tokyo. 

Born on the 1st of March in 1992, Sharad Kumar hails from Bihar. The youngster fell in love with the High jump when he was in school. After shifting to Delhi, Sharad Kumar started training himself as he realized his dreams. 

It was in 2010 that Sharad Kumar made his first appearance when he was part of the Asian Para Games in China. At the tender age of 19, Sharad Kumar became the world number 1 in the sport when he jumped a distance of 1.75 meters in Malaysia. There was bad news around the corner after Sharad Kumar missed the 2012 London games due to a ban. 

Once he was back, Sharad Kumar jumped a distance of 1.80 meters during the Asian Games in 2014. After that Sharad Kumar didn’t look back as he brought more laurels for the nation and his latest conquest with a silver medal is yet another feather in his cap.  

Also Check: Sumit Antil's record breaking gold medal win at Paris Paralympics