Madhav Aggarwal
Indian para athlete Nishad Kumar has emerged as one of the leading names in international para athletics, winning two Paralympic silver medals, a World Para Athletics Championships gold and two gold medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games.
Born in Himachal Pradesh’s Una district, Nishad lost his right hand in a childhood accident involving a fodder-cutting machine. Despite the injury, he pursued athletics, gradually establishing himself among India’s leading high jumpers.
His father, Rashpal Singh, is a farmer and daily wage worker, while his mother, Pushpa Devi, is a former state-level volleyball player. His family supported his sporting ambitions as he progressed from local competitions to the international stage.
Nishad made his mark at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, winning bronze in the men’s high jump T47 event with a clearance of 2.00 m.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, held in 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he cleared 2.06 m to win silver in the men’s high jump T47 event. He followed it with another silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, clearing 2.04 m.
He also won silver at the 2023 and 2024 World Para Athletics Championships. In October 2025, competing on home soil in New Delhi, Nishad claimed his maiden world championship gold with a jump of 2.14 m, setting a personal best and an Asian record.
His medal-winning run continued at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Nishad won gold in the men’s long jump T47 event with an effort of 7.11 m, marking his international debut in the discipline. He then claimed the men’s high jump T47 title with a Games-record clearance of 2.04 m.
With the double gold performance, Nishad became only the third Indian athlete to win two gold medals at a single edition of the Asian Para Games, joining para athlete Ankur Dhama and archer Sheetal Devi, who achieved the feat in 2023.
Nishad received the Arjuna Award in 2021 in recognition of his sporting achievements. His journey from a childhood accident to Paralympic podiums, a world title and double gold at the Asian Para Games reflects years of perseverance and dedication to his sport.
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