How Nishad Kumar’s knee injury fueled his quest for 2 gold medals at the Asian Para Games

Nishad Kumar’s family expected to defend their high jump gold at the Asian Para Games. So when the announcer announced his name for the T47 men’s long jump event, the news came as a surprise to them, as it did to many others.

Only a handful of family members and members of the coaching staff knew that Nishad would be competing in the event. To everyone else’s surprise, he dominated the competition and won gold in his first appearance in the long jump at a major event.

A day later, Nishad won his second gold medal in Japan, setting a Games record with a leap of 2.04 m in the T47 high jump competition and defending his title. Nishad won a double gold medal in the Asian Para Games. (Photo by Reuters)

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An unexpected double gold was made possible by an injury-induced change of plans. Nishad’s knee bothered him for a year and forced him to reduce his training load.

Speaking to IndiaToday.in after winning two gold medals in Japan, Nishad explained how the injury led to the change.

“I wanted to try the long jump because my knee was bothering me in the high jump. In the high jump, we have to bend 60 degrees, which hurt the knee. You’ll notice that I haven’t competed in the long jump this season. So we sat down and discussed if we could try the long jump instead,” Nishad said.

“If you see my season, I only did two events in the high jump, the Anju Bobby George Open Nationals at the start of the season and then the Muscat Open,” he added. Nishad Kumar injured his knee in the high jump. (Photo by Reuters)

The Muscat Open, an able-bodied competition held in September 2026, gave Nishad an opportunity to test himself in both events before the Asian Para Games. He finished fourth in the high jump and fifth in the long jump. The results offered some hints of what he could achieve, but the bigger priority was getting to Japan without aggravating his injury.

Gold in the long jump on October 19 was worth the decision. Nishad turned up for the event with knee problems but walked away with the title in an event in which he had limited competitive experience of late.

There was still a high jump left. With his knee bothering him, Nishad and his team decided not to take any unnecessary risks in an event where he was the defending champion.

A jump of 2.04m proved to be enough to secure the gold medal and the Games record. It was well below his personal best, but once the title was secured, there was no reason to push for a higher jump.

“My entire season was dedicated to the long jump. We had a good idea of ​​the jump needed to win the Para Asian Games. I could have gone for a higher jump if I wanted, but we played it safe,” said Nishad.

It is fairly easy to guess which of the two gold medals was his favorite.

“I am so happy. They are fun to watch, but now I have to keep turning my head from one medal to the other. I don’t even know which one to look at! Usually you have to focus on just one medal,” Nishad told IndiaToday.in with a laugh.

GAS, SABZIS AND MANJA

Nishad’s journey to becoming a two-time Paralympic silver medalist and Asian Para Games champion began in Baduan village in Himachal Pradesh’s Una district, where he was born in October 1999.

When he was about six years old, an accident on the family farm changed his life. His right arm became caught in an automatic feed cutting machine, resulting in the amputation of his right arm below the elbow.

The accident did not stop Nishad from finding his way to sports. Growing up in an area where he had a lot of experience with the Indian Army, he became fascinated by the sight of army personnel running around in the morning. This inspired him to run, even though the sport was not part of his family background.

His natural height and vertical leap soon set him apart, eventually prompting his transition to the high jump. Nishad Kumar is a two-time Paralympic medalist. (Photo by Reuters)

Around 2016, recognizing his potential, his parents sent 17-year-old Nishad to the Panchkula Sports Complex in Haryana, where he began training under coach Nasee Ahmad.

It was his first time away from home and Nishad arrived at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium with little idea of ​​what life at the training center would entail.

“I didn’t know how these things work. So after selection, I landed at Tau Devi Lal Stadium with gas, sabzi, bed (manja) and said I’m ready to train. But my coaches took me under their wing and said don’t worry, we’ll take care of you. So I had to sell a few things,” laughed Nishad.

“I spent two years there. I sacrificed everything during that time. If I hadn’t given myself those two years, I wouldn’t be here,” he added.

These early years required Nishad to learn to live away from home and commit to training. The boy who arrived at the stadium with his own cooking gas, vegetables and a bed gradually built a career that took him to the Paralympic podium.

Nishad has since won two silver medals at the Paralympics and three gold medals at the Asian Para-Games, establishing himself among India’s leading para-athletes.

His performances in Japan could also open the door to competing in both events at the Los Angeles Paralympics, although that will depend on his preparation and fitness.

For all the heights he has reached in the sport, Nishad talks about his journey with gratitude rather than dwelling on what he had to overcome.

“I started long jumping when I was in school. I didn’t know I would be able to reach these heights. God took something from me but gave me back so much,” said Nishad.

A GIFT THAT WANTS TO GO HOME

Nishad’s connection to home remained important even as his career took him around the world. After winning a medal at the Paris Paralympics, he decided to buy a present for his father.

At Dubai airport, where travelers often look for gold jewelry, iPhones and gadgets at bargain prices, Nishad had a different goal. He wanted to buy the biggest torch he could find.

“My father is a farmer. He goes out at night to check if any animals are destroying the farm or not. So I went around Dubai airport to get the biggest torch I could find,” laughed Nishad.

With two gold medals won in Japan, the question was whether he would take home another torch this time.

Nishad had a different answer.

“This time I will take home 2 gold medals from Japan.

– The end