Para high-jumper Praveen Kumar expressed his joy at being honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award, a recognition he had eagerly awaited. Winning the men’s high jump T64 gold at the Paris Paralympics was a significant achievement for Praveen, who achieved a personal-best jump of 2.08m, adding to his impressive medal collection that includes a silver at the Tokyo Paralympics and gold at the Asian Para Games.
Revealed on Sunday, the list of Padma Awards recipients also included former India captain Rohit Sharma, Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and tennis icon Vijay Amritraj. Praveen Kumar’s inclusion in this esteemed list reflects his dedication and success in para-athletics, with his recent bronze win at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi further highlighting his talent.
Vijay Amritraj, a stalwart in Indian tennis, was honored with the Padma Bhushan award, recognizing his enduring impact on the sport. Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, celebrated cricket leaders, were acknowledged for their contributions to the sport, alongside other notable figures like hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia and individuals like Baldev Singh, Bhagwandas Raikwar, and K Pajanivel, who have made significant contributions to Indian sports.
