‘Mumma has always assured him he is no different from others’: Sister of Paralympic silver medalist Nishad Kumar

What is that word that is practically a staple in Paralympic Games commercials plastered all over promotional materials and tossed around in everyday encounters like those at the grocery store Athletes are so bombarded with it that it is practically their second languageThe word is lsquoinspirationrsquoIronically this term of lsquoendearmentrsquo often has the exact opposite effect Instead of celebrating their achievements it tends to overshadow them by spotlighting their disabilities making them seem like exotic anomalies rather than accomplished athletesFueling Dreams Celebrating VictoriesNishad Kumarrsquos achievement is a shining example of what dedication and an unstoppable spirit can accomplish Wersquore honored to support him as he continues to make the nation proud Herersquos to his incredible journey IndianOilhellip pictwittercomQSmdVpp6hdmdash Indian Oil Corp Ltd IndianOilcl September 5 2024It is as if the sheer novelty of their participating in sports somehow diminishes the years of grueling training and relentless dedication they have poured into their craft The word so often carries a whiff of pity implying that their athleticism is so surprising it almost undermines their hardearned successNo such word as lsquocanrsquotrsquoldquoMumma as a sportswoman herself has always encouraged bhai to take sports seriously and assured him that he is no different from others ablebodied athletes in any manner At home we have always treated him like everyone elserdquo says a proud Rama Devi sister of silver medallist Nishad Kumar who set a new Asian record with a remarkable jump of 206 meters in the mens high jump T47 class in Paris earlier this weekAlso ReadPakistan cricket just died a thousand deathsMany of Nishadrsquos peers echo Devirsquos sentiments with gustoSharing this Paralympic medal moment with a young fan NishadKumar ParisParalympics2024 silvermedalist DreamBig pictwittercomEonIZMtc4Qmdash Nishad_kumarhj nishad_hj September 3 2024While there has been a slight uptick in interest in the Paralympics paraathletes are still slogging through a relentless battle for the spotlight and equal recognition They are perpetually on the front lines advocating for an event that despite their best efforts is often confused with the Special OlympicsIt is almost endearing how the Paralympics despite its growing visibility still seem to slip through the cracks of public awareness as if they are perpetually stuck in the shadow of the Special Olympics The struggle for proper acknowledgment is an ongoing saga marked by the irony of increased interest yet persistent misidentificationldquoWe were expecting gold this time He would always tell us that he was aiming to bring gold from Paris When he phoned us he sounded upset at not winning gold and said he did not execute his jump according to the planrdquo she says Silver Glory for Nishad Kumar In an extraordinary display of skill and determination Nishad Kumar has clinched the silver medal in the Mens High Jump T47 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Leaping to a height of 204m Nishad has set a new Season Best SB and broughthellip pictwittercomoawRPE76q7mdash Paralympic Committee of India PCI_IN_Official September 1 2024Kumar a proud recipient of the Arjuna Award boasts a glittering array of achievements a bronze medal in the menrsquos T47 high jump at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai followed by a dazzling gold at the 2021 World Para Athletics Grand Prix also in Dubai and another gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou China Quite an impressive resume for someone who had an unconventional startldquoThe accident happened when Bhai was in fourth grade He started playing sports a year later He would always remain busy with running helping Papa on the farm and other activities Papa also had a big role to play in his career he always ensured Bhai stayed away from troublemakers always closely watching over him like a shadowrdquo she addsTaking controlWhat had begun for Kumar as a happy childhood loving parents a younger sister and long days playing sports after school faded into obscurity in a single moment of disasterIn a moment of youthful misadventure Kumar accidentally severed his arm while tinkering with a grass chaff cutter machine at home One might say he turned a potential career in the ldquohownottordquo manual into a triumph in the sporting arena but he just didnrsquot know yetWhen the accident struck Kumarrsquos only concern was whether he could still enlist in the Indian Army As if coping with a devastating injury wasnrsquot enough Kumarrsquos concern was to ensure that his military aspirations remained intact The doctors clearly intent on preserving his optimism did everything they could to sidestep the possibility of crushing his dreamsThe depression and despair didnt go away but eventually Kumar did go back to his faithMother Pushpa Devi a districtlevel athlete herself evidently saw the potential for a glorious sports career amid this disaster With her inspiring example Kumar transitioned from being an accidental amputee to a sports sensation demonstrating an almost heroic capacity to turn a tragic mishap into an extraordinary athletic journeyNaturally Kumar has become the reigning celebrity of his village Each time he returns with another medal his entourage of friends roll out the red carpet in the form of oversized cutouts and extravagant welcomes Devi says ldquoThe villagers turned up in huge numbers on the day Bhai won silver They began assembling at our house in the afternoon although his match was late at night We are waiting to welcome him with great enthusiasm Mumma and Papa are so proud of himrdquo she addsKumar never one to shy away from a podium finish had previously bagged a silver in Tokyo three years ago where he cleared a respectable 206 meters The T47 classification for those unfamiliar is reserved for athletes with belowelbow or wrist impairments a category where Kumar made his markHis two Paralympic medals are lauded not merely as personal achievements but as emblematic of his unyielding resolve to serve India in any way possible The medals arenrsquot just metal and ribbons they are a dramatic showcase of his refusal to be deterred Instead of letting an accident rewrite his dreams Kumar turned a disaster into a statement of relentless ambition and nationalistic fervor with the Paralympic podium serving as his battlefieldKumarrsquos heroics will appeal not only to those who tend to get mistily sentimental over petty failures but also to ones who know that victory over time is the hardest of all for any athleteDelicate skills can plummet fast and far The body can disobey The mindset may desert the athlete suddenly But here is Kumar with a success that more often than not highlights the rare quality of durability that underline the careers of people like himBut he continues To fight back to live again