NAGOYA: India delivered a stunning one-two finish at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Wednesday, dominating the Men’s High Jump T44 event as Praveen Kumar soared to the gold medal and compatriot Banti clinched the silver.
Praveen Smashes Records to Defend Title
Two-time Paralympic medallist Praveen put on a stellar athletic display, clearing a new Games Record height of 2.05 meters to successfully defend his title and stand proudly on top of the podium. Starting his campaign smoothly at 1.92 meters, Praveen quickly broke the previous Games Record of 1.95m—set by Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov back in Jakarta 2018 by clearing 2 meters. He then sealed his gold-medal-winning performance by clearing 2.05m on his final attempt.
Banti Claims Silver in Personal Best Finish
Joining him on the podium was Banti, who delivered a phenomenal performance to secure the silver medal with a personal best jump of 1.92 metres. Banti’s stellar effort completed a memorable double-podium sweep for India in the event, while Uzbekistan’s Giyazov rounded out the top three to take the bronze with a jump of 1.86m.
A Legacy of Excellence
The latest victory adds another glorious chapter to Praveen’s remarkable career. The 2021 Tokyo Paralympic silver medallist continued his dominance by winning gold at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games and subsequently topping the podium at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a remarkable jump of 2.08 metres. Following a bronze medal finish at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, Praveen’s golden leap in Nagoya further cements his status as a titan in para-athletics.