Praveen Kumar clinches Padma Shri at 23 after rare sports hat-trick
Para high-jumper Praveen Kumar, 23, from Jewar in Uttar Pradesh has been awarded the Padma Shri on January 25, 2026, marking a remarkable hat-trick of India’s top sports honours in just five years. The accolade crowns his silver at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2025.
Kumar soared to gold at Paris with a personal best of 2.08m in the T64 high jump, elevating his profile nationally and internationally. “This honour means a lot not just for me but everyone who has supported me,” he told TOI, calling the Padma Shri both a boost and a responsibility.
Since his Khel Ratna win, he added a bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships and is now targeting a 2.1m Asian record and gold at the upcoming Asian Games and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. “I train seven-eight hours a day — retaining Paralympic gold drives me every morning,” Kumar said.
His hometown Govindgarh erupted in celebration as family and neighbours hailed his journey from local sand patches to national glory.