Paris Paralympics 2024: Sharad Kumar, Mariyappan Thangavelu secure silver, bronze medals in men's high jump T63

Their medals took India’s tally to 18 medals at Paris Paralympics 2024.

Indian para-athletes Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu secured silver and bronze medals respectively in men’s high jump T63 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Tuesday, September 3. This double podium finish echoes their success from the previous Tokyo Paralympics.

American Ezra Frech, 19, claimed gold and set a new Paralympic record with a jump of 1.94 meters. Kumar attempted to match this height but fell short, settling for silver with a best jump of 1.88 meters. Thangavelu secured bronze with a 1.85-meter clearance.

Sharad Kumar converts his Tokyo 🥉 to 🥈 SILVER at #ParisParalympics2024!! 🇮🇳🔥He finishes with a best jump of 1.88m, breaking the previous meet record to clinch his 2nd medal at the #Paralympics. pic.twitter.com/b2zoFTeeJG

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 3, 2024

Kumar, a former world number one, improved on his bronze medal performance from Tokyo. He broke the Paralympic record in the T42 category but couldn’t surpass Frech’s winning jump. Despite unsuccessful attempts at 1.91 and 1.94 meters, Kumar’s performance was enough to clinch silver.

Also Read: Top 13 Indian athletes with most medals at Paralympics

Thangavelu made history by becoming only the second Indian to win medals in three consecutive Paralympics. He now boasts a complete set: gold from Rio 2016, silver from Tokyo 2020, and bronze from Paris 2024. Thangavelu started strong and was initially in contention for gold but failed to clear the 1.88-meter mark.

Mariyappan Thangavelu wins BRONZE 🥉 at #ParisParalympics2024!! 🇮🇳🤩He finished 3rd in men's High Jump with a best effort of 1.85m to clinch his 3rd medal at the #Paralympics. pic.twitter.com/bqDTdFRlx2

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 3, 2024

The event featured eight competitors, including Indians Shailesh Kumar, Sharad, and Mariyappan. Other participants were Yves Noe Batifi Loumou, Łukasz Mamczarz, Ezra Frech, Wagner Astacio, and Sam Grewe.

This success in the high jump event contributed to India’s impressive medal haul at the Paris Paralympics. The country added five medals on Tuesday, bringing their total to 20. Earlier in the day, Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver and bronze respectively in the men’s javelin throw F46 event, while Deepthi Jeevanji secured bronze in the women’s 400m – T20.

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