Praveen Kumar (Para Athlete)

Some Lesser Known Facts About Praveen Kumar

• Praveen Kumar was born into a poor family of farmers.

  

• When he was one month old, he started developing problems in his left leg and doctors diagnosed him with congenital impairment.

• However, since his childhood, he used to jump and run around in his house.

• While he was studying in school, he used to love playing cricket and volleyball with his cousins and friends.

• When he was in class 9, he expressed his desire to participate in high jump and long jump matches to his sports teacher. However, his teacher denied it because of his disability.
  

  

   

• Praveen returned home and complained about the teacher to his father. His father then discussed the matter with the principal of the school after which Praveen was allowed to participate in the competition.

• In the high jump competition, he stood first. His sports teacher then decided to provide him with basic training in the high jump and long jump.

• At that time, his school did not have proper ground or stadium facilities where he could practice. So, he made a pit of sand in his village and started practising there.

• Later, he represented his school in CBSE district-level, state-level, and national-level competitions.

• In 2018, while he was surfing the internet, he came to know about para-sports events. He then participated in various para-sports competitions.

• In one of his sports events in Ghaziabad, he met the Indian coach Dr. Satyapal Singh. Impressed by Praveen’s performance in the event, the coach decided to train him. He called Praveen to Delhi and provided him with a flat to stay there. Praveen trained in Delhi for around four years at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) stadium.

 

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• Even after he was infected with COVID-19 in 2020, he continued his practice in his room.

• After he won a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, MLA Dhirendra Singh announced that a stadium would be constructed in the name of Praveen in his village Jewar.

• He has won medals in various sports championships like the 22nd CBSE Cluster, National Athletics Meet, Senior World Athletics Championship, 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and 2024 Paris Paralympics.

  

• He has been felicitated at various events for his performance in various matches.

  

• He is supported by a sports NGO named Olympic Gold Quest.

• Praveen regularly works out at a gym to remain fit.

  

• In his leisure time, he enjoys travelling to different places.