Indian para-athlete Praveen Kumar won the gold medal in the men’s high jump event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on October 21, setting a new Games record with a jump of 2.05 metres. Fellow Indian athlete Banti secured the silver medal with a personal-best performance of 1.92 metres, giving India a memorable one-two finish.
The competition took place in Nagoya, Japan, as part of the Asian Para Games, which bring together leading para-athletes from across the continent. Praveen’s victory marked another successful title defence at the event, while Banti’s silver medal added to India’s achievements in para-athletics.
Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov finished third with a jump of 1.86 metres to claim bronze. The result placed two Indian athletes at the top of the podium and demonstrated the country’s strength in the high jump discipline.
Praveen Breaks the Games Record
Praveen entered the competition aiming to defend the title he had won at the previous Asian Para Games. He began his attempts at a height of 1.92 metres before progressing to higher bars as the competition continued.
He cleared 2.00 metres, surpassing the previous Games record of 1.95 metres set by Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. Praveen then cleared 2.05 metres, establishing a new record for the event.
The successful jump secured the gold medal and confirmed his position at the top of the standings. According to reports from the competition, Praveen cleared 2.05 metres on his final attempt at that height.
After the event, Praveen said he was pleased to achieve the mark he had targeted. His performance was particularly notable because he had faced health and recovery challenges in the weeks leading up to the Games.
The gold medal adds another major achievement to Praveen’s international career and reinforces his reputation as one of India’s leading para-athletes.
Banti Claims Silver with a Personal Best
Banti produced a strong performance to finish second in the men’s high jump event. His jump of 1.92 metres was a personal best and earned him the silver medal.
The result completed India’s one-two finish, with Praveen taking gold and Banti securing silver. Banti’s performance was an important contribution to the Indian team’s campaign at the continental competition.
Achieving a personal best at a major international event is a significant milestone for an athlete. It reflects progress in performance and the ability to deliver under competitive pressure.
With Banti finishing ahead of the remaining competitors, India secured two of the three medals available in the event. Giyazov of Uzbekistan took bronze after clearing 1.86 metres.
A Career of Major International Achievements
Praveen Kumar has established himself through consistent performances at major international para-athletics competitions. He won silver in the men’s high jump at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, held in 2021, with a jump of 2.07 metres.
He later won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, the 2022 edition of which was held in 2023. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Praveen secured another gold medal by clearing 2.08 metres.
In 2025, he won bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi with a jump of 2.00 metres. These results have established him as a prominent competitor in international para-athletics.
His latest Asian Para Games gold adds to this record. By clearing 2.05 metres and setting a Games record, Praveen demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level in a major continental competition.
Understanding the High Jump Classification
The competition was reported as the men’s high jump T44/T64 event, in which athletes from the two classifications competed together. These classifications relate to different types of lower-limb impairment.
T44 generally covers athletes with lower-limb impairments who compete without a prosthesis, while T64 applies to athletes who compete with a prosthetic lower limb. Combined events may be organised when appropriate to ensure a competitive field, following the applicable para-athletics rules.
The classification system is designed to support fair competition among athletes with different eligible impairments. It is an important part of para-sports, helping organisers group athletes according to defined criteria.
India’s Progress in Para-Athletics
The gold and silver medals in the high jump add to India’s achievements at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Indian athletes have been competing across several para-sports, including athletics, badminton, swimming and other disciplines.
Praveen’s record-breaking performance and Banti’s personal best reflect both individual achievement and the depth of India’s talent in para-athletics. Their success also brings greater attention to athletes who compete at the highest levels of international sport.
The Asian Para Games provide athletes with an important platform to challenge themselves against leading competitors from across Asia. Results such as this one can help athletes build experience and confidence for future international competitions.
A Memorable Result for India
Praveen Kumar’s gold medal and Games-record jump of 2.05 metres, combined with Banti’s silver-winning personal best of 1.92 metres, gave India a strong result in the men’s high jump event.
With Temurbek Giyazov taking bronze for Uzbekistan, the podium reflected a competitive contest in which the Indian athletes finished in the top two positions.
Praveen’s successful title defence and Banti’s personal-best performance made the event one of the highlights of India’s para-athletics campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Their achievements underline the country’s growing presence in international para-sports and provide another encouraging result for the Indian contingent.
