Para high-jumper Praveen Kumar set to receive Padma Shri, completing rare ‘hat-trick’ of top honours
Para high-jumper Praveen Kumar, 23, is set to be conferred the Padma Shri, adding to his Arjuna Award and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. From Tokyo 2021 silver to Paris 2024 gold, his rise has been rapid, and he is now targeting bigger heights with an Asian record in sight.
Praveen Kumar, a 23-year-old para high-jumper from Jewar, is set to be conferred the Padma Shri for distinguished service in sports. The civilian honour adds to a remarkable run in which he has secured India’s major sporting recognitions within a short span, cementing his status as one of the country’s standout para-athletics performers.
His breakthrough came on the biggest stage. Praveen won silver in the men’s T64 high jump at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, a performance that earned him the Arjuna Award the same year. He then upgraded his Paralympic record with a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, clearing a personal best of 2.08m—success that was followed by the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in January 2025.
Next targets: higher bars, tougher goals
With the Padma Shri announcement, Praveen is already looking forward. He has spoken about aiming for 2.1m, which would be an Asian record, while keeping an eye on the global benchmark. Training in Delhi with long hours at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, he is focusing on upcoming major competitions, including the Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
From school meets to international podiums
Praveen’s sporting journey began in Greater Noida, where he played volleyball and competed with able-bodied athletes before discovering high jump at an athletics meet in 2016. In 2018, he moved into para-athletics after meeting coach Satyapal Singh at a district-level competition, a turning point that shaped his rapid climb.
The Padma Shri recognition has also sparked celebrations in his hometown, reflecting how individual sporting achievements can inspire local communities. For Praveen, the honour is both a milestone and a reminder that the next phase will demand consistency, injury management, and continued progression in jump heights.