Nishad Kumar always dreamt of serving in the Indian Army. Growing up in the small village of Badaun near Amb in Himachal Pradesh, he was captivated by the sight of Army soldiers on vacation and aspired to join their ranks. But life had different plans. At the age of eight, Kumar suffered a life-altering accident when his hand was caught in a fodder-cutting machine. Despite losing a hand, his spirit remained unbroken.

On Sunday night, he made the nation proud by winning a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 final with a jump of 2.04 meters.

Rising Above Adversity

The accident in 2007 could have ended many dreams, but for Nishad Kumar, it was just the beginning of a new journey. His father, Rashpal Singh, a farmer and mason, and his mother, Pushpa Devi, provided him with unending support. Nishad returned to school just three months after the accident. His resilience was clear when he expressed his determination to continue with his dreams, asking the doctors if he could still join the Army.

Kumar’s journey into athletics began at the Saraswati Vidya Mandir School in Katohur Khurd, where coach Ramesh noticed his potential. Taller than most kids his age, Nishad initially participated in various sports, including the 100m, 200m, and high jump. His early days were marked by a fierce desire to compete with able-bodied peers. “He always told the coach he wanted to compete with the able-bodied kids because he felt equal to them,” recalls his elder sister, Rama Kumari.

The First Taste of Success

Nishad’s determination bore fruit when he won a silver medal in the high jump at the sub-junior School National Games in Patiala. This achievement was a turning point, leading him to pursue athletics more seriously. In 2017, he moved to Panchkula to train under coaches Naseem Ahmad and Vikram Chaudhary, who had previously coached Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra.

Nishad’s coaches recognized his potential early on, but they faced the challenge of refining his technique. “Nishad’s biggest strength was his belief in competing at the highest level,” says coach Chaudhary. Transitioning from the scissors kick to the more advanced Fosbury Flop technique, where jumpers land on their backs, required significant training and adaptation. However, his initial technique helped him develop core strength and a powerful knee drive, which became his assets in high jump.

Reaching New Heights

Kumar's commitment to improving his skills led to a series of impressive achievements. In 2019, he set a personal best of 2.0 meters at the World Para Championship in Dubai. By the time he competed in Tokyo in 2021, he had increased his jump to 2.06 meters, earning a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 final. 

To prepare for the Paris Paralympics, Kumar trained under renowned coach Jeremy Fischer, who also coached Olympic medallist Will Claye, at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in the USA. This exposure to high-level coaching and world-class facilities played a crucial role in refining his technique and boosting his performance. 

Achieving Paralympic Glory

On September 1, Nishad Kumar once again demonstrated his prowess by winning the silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 final with a jump of 2.04 meters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Nishad Kumar's spectacular achievement at the Paralympics, showering him with praise. "Congrats to @nishad_hj for his remarkable achievement in winning a Silver medal in the Men's High Jump T47 event at the #Paralympics2024! He has shown us all that with passion and determination, everything is possible. India is elated," PM Modi wrote on X.

Nishad Kumar’s journey from a young boy who lost his hand in a tragic accident to a Paralympic silver medallist serves as an inspiration to many. He shows us all that no dream is too big, and no hurdle too high.