For years, Nishad Kumar has carried the weight of expectations every time he stepped onto a global stage.
He had medals of every colour bronze from 2019, silvers from 2020, 2023, and 2024 but the glittering world championship gold remained elusive. On his birthday, in front of a home crowd in New Delhi, the moment finally arrived. Nishad soared over 2.14m, a personal best and an Asian record, to win the men’s T47 high jump title at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.
The victory was not just another medal. It was the culmination of a journey marked by resilience, heartbreak, and unwavering belief. The gold now cements Nishad’s status as India’s greatest-ever para high jumper, a legend whose story inspires far beyond the field of play.
The Golden Jump
Nishad had been here before at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where overthinking cost him gold, and at three previous world championships, where he finished second twice and third once. This time, there was no falter. With a clean series and a soaring clearance of 2.14m, he outperformed Turkey’s Abdullah Ilgaz (2.08m) and American great Roderick Townsend (2.03m), the reigning Paralympic champion and his long-time rival.
“I had been waiting for this moment for many years,” Nishad said after the win. “In Paris, I lost my focus. Today, I worked like the Vande Bharat train fast, precise, unstoppable. I gave my best and left the rest to God. My family was in the stands, and I felt I was fulfilling their dreams as much as mine.” As told to PTI
His victory also underlined the progress of Indian para-athletics. Winning gold at a global event on home soil gave fans a moment of collective pride, echoing across Una, Himachal Pradesh where his story began.
A Journey Rooted in Struggle
Born into a farming family in Una, Himachal Pradesh, Nishad’s early life was defined by hard work in the fields. At the age of eight, tragedy struck. A grass-cutting machine accident severed his right hand, which had to be amputated. For many, such a blow would have meant the end of sporting aspirations. For Nishad, it became the beginning of something extraordinary.
He continued playing sports in school, often competing in high jump and sprints with able-bodied athletes. His natural talent stood out. In 2017, he was formally introduced to para athletics, and within two years, he was making headlines on the world stage.
“Sport gave me a second life,” Nishad once reflected. “When I lost my hand, I thought everything was over. But jumping taught me to rise above, literally and mentally.”
Medal by Medal: Nishad’s Rise
Nishad’s journey to gold has been a slow burn, each medal adding to his resilience and hunger:
- 2019 World Championships (Dubai) Bronze, his first global medal, announcing his arrival.
- 2020 Tokyo Paralympics (held in 2021) Silver with a 2.06m leap, India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in men’s high jump.
- 2023 World Championships (Paris) Silver at 2.09m, creating a new Asian record and securing his Paris Paralympics quota.
- 2023 Asian Para Games (Hangzhou) Gold, again setting an Asian record, and stamping continental dominance.
- 2024 World Championships, another silver, where he cleared 1.99m but was outperformed by Townsend.
- 2024 Paris Paralympics Silver, heartbreakingly close to gold, a result that left him determined to change his destiny.
- 2025 New Delhi World Championships, At last, the gold with 2.14m, his personal best and an Asian record.
Each medal told a story of progress and persistence, leading to this crowning achievement.
The men’s T47 high jump has long been dominated by Roderick Townsend, the American considered one of the greatest para high jumpers of all time. Townsend’s record multiple world and Paralympic golds made him the benchmark for Nishad. Beating him in New Delhi, on Nishad’s birthday, was symbolic.
“Townsend pushed me to my limits all these years,” Nishad admitted. “Every time I lost, it motivated me to train harder. Today, beating him in front of my people is very special.” As told to ANI
Turkey’s Abdullah Ilgaz, who took silver, also played his part in raising the standard. But for Nishad, this gold was less about rivals and more about finally overcoming his own past setbacks.
In his post-match remarks, Nishad spoke about faith, family, and facilities. Unlike his mother, who once played sports without support or infrastructure, Nishad today trains with world-class coaching and access to modern facilities.
“I did not want to lose this opportunity,” he said. “I missed my chance in Paris, but not here. My family sacrificed so much, and I wanted to deliver for them.”
He also admitted that he is now preparing for the world record, a mark that belongs to Townsend. At 2.14m, Nishad is already closer than ever, and with age on his side at 25, the future looks promising.
Nishad’s victory is more than an individual triumph. It represents the steady rise of Indian para-athletics, which has consistently delivered medals at the Paralympics, World Championships, and Asian Para Games. His story resonates with the journey of Indian sport itself emerging from modest beginnings, overcoming structural challenges, and competing with the best in the world.
He is now not just a champion but also a symbol of resilience for countless young para-athletes across India. His words “Sport gave me a second life”echo as a message of hope for anyone facing adversity.
As celebrations continue in New Delhi and back home in Himachal Pradesh, the question arises: what next for Nishad? With a world title finally in his pocket, his sights are set on two things breaking the world record and turning his silver medals into Paralympic gold at Los Angeles 2028.
For now, though, Nishad Kumar can finally breathe easy. On his birthday, in front of a roaring Indian crowd, he climbed the podium’s top step for the first time on the biggest stage. A journey of pain, persistence, and purpose had come full circle.
From a farm boy who once lost his hand to the reigning World Champion in high jump T47, Nishad Kumar has written his golden chapter.
