Paralympic high jump champion Praveen Kumar has set the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games as his primary target, building on a remarkable international career that has already yielded multiple podium finishes. The two-time Paralympic medalist made the declaration in an upcoming episode of the Quest Talk podcast by iQOO, recorded in New Delhi.

LA 2028 and the World Championship Gold

Praveen was candid about the two goals driving his training ahead of the next cycle. “And in 2028, LA is my main target,” he said. Before that, he has his eye on the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships, where a gold medal remains elusive. “In the World Championship, I don’t have gold yet. So in 2027, I will try to get gold in this,” he said. The dual-target roadmap signals a disciplined, multi-year approach rather than a single-event focus.

How It All Began in Class 9

Praveen’s entry into high jump was entirely accidental. Studying in Class 9, he discovered a school sports day was approaching and had no event in mind. Friends who played volleyball with him noticed his jumping ability — he was a spiker and a defender — and suggested he try high jump. “They brought a wooden stick and held it from both sides. I crossed it at their chest and shoulder height. They told me to do this event,” he recalled.

The Barriers He Had to Clear Before the Bar

The path to even competing was far from straightforward. By the time Praveen wanted to enter, selections had already closed two weeks earlier. School authorities initially refused, citing his disability. “They directly refused me. They said this was for able-bodied athletes and that I could have problems because I was disabled,” he said. It took intervention from his family and school management before he was allowed to participate — only after he personally assured officials he would take full responsibility.

Even on competition day, fellow competitors objected to his presence. The supervising teacher’s response has since become part of his personal lore: “He will jump with one leg, while you have both legs. You should be able to do better.” The objections were overruled.

His First Medal — Still With Him Today

Praveen went on to win a medal in that very first competition. “In my mind, I got the medal, and what I wanted had happened. It was my first medal, and I still have it with me today,” he said. That school-day win set in motion a journey that would eventually take him to Paralympic glory. Notably, Praveen admitted he never anticipated how far the sport would take him. “No, I didn’t think that I would reach this far,” he said.

What Comes Next

With the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships and LA 2028 firmly pencilled in, Praveen enters a critical two-year window. His performances will be watched closely by Paralympics India and national selectors as the country looks to build on a strong showing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. If he delivers on both targets, it would cement his status as one of India’s most decorated para athletes across multiple Paralympic cycles.