New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Paralympic gold medallist excessive jumper Praveen Kumar was conferred with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday in New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu introduced the celebrated award to Kumar on the Civil Investiture Ceremony on the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The world No. 1 para excessive jumper is being recognised for his excellent contribution to sports activities after a exceptional rise in worldwide para athletics.
Born with a bodily incapacity, Praveen Kumar first received a silver medal within the males’s excessive soar T64 class on the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021, earlier than upgrading it to gold on the Paris Paralympic Games with a personal-best soar of two.08 metres.
His breakthrough efficiency in Tokyo earned him the Arjuna Award in 2021, whereas his Paris triumph was later recognised with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in January 2025.
Born in 2003, Praveen initially performed volleyball throughout his college days earlier than deciding to modify to excessive soar. His trainer was initially reluctant to permit him to compete, fearing he may get injured due to his leg situation. Despite the doubts, Praveen competed within the able-bodied class and received gold.
Padma Awards, one of many highest civilian Awards of the nation, are conferred in three classes, particularly, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The Awards are given in varied disciplines/ fields of actions, viz, artwork, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, commerce and business, drugs, literature and training, sports activities, civil service, and so forth.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for distinctive and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of excessive order, and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any discipline. (ANI)