Nishad Kumar, a para-athlete from Una in Himachal Pradesh, has won gold medals in both events he competed in at the Para Asian Games in Japan. He took first place in the long jump and the high jump, a result that has delighted his childhood coach, Naseem Ahmad.
For Nishad, winning medals at major international events has become a habit. He already has two silver medals from the 2020 and 2024 Paralympics and a gold medal from the 2022 Asian Games. His latest double gold adds another strong chapter to that record.
Nishad Kumar's Double Gold at Para Asian Games
The Para Asian Games in Japan saw Nishad compete in two events — the long jump and the high jump — and he won gold in both. Winning two golds at this level is not common, and his coach believes it sets him apart.
Naseem Ahmad, who coached Nishad for three to four years during the early part of his career, said the performance stood out even among Nishad's many achievements.
"Winning gold medals in two events at this level is incredible. Not many athletes are able to achieve this feat. He is at the top of his game and has made all of us proud." — Naseem Ahmad, Nishad Kumar's childhood coach
From Una to the Top of Para Athletics
Nishad's journey from Una in Himachal Pradesh to the top of para athletics has been built on consistent results. His medal list now includes:
- Gold in long jump and gold in high jump at the Para Asian Games in Japan
- Silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Paralympics
- Gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games
His coach's pride is easy to understand. Ahmad worked with Nishad in the early years of his career, and he says the athlete is now at the peak of his form. The double gold in Japan only strengthens Nishad's place among India's finest para-athletes.
Our Take: A Double Gold That Deserves More Attention
In our view, Nishad Kumar's double gold at the Para Asian Games should be celebrated far beyond Himachal Pradesh. Winning one gold at an international event is hard. Winning two, in two different events, is a sign of rare skill and discipline.
To put it plainly, para-athletes in India often do not get the recognition their results deserve. Nishad already had two Paralympic silvers and an Asian Games gold before this feat. That is an extraordinary record, and yet his name is not as widely known as it should be.
The fact that his childhood coach still speaks about him with such pride tells you something about the journey — from Una to the Para Asian Games podium, twice over. For readers, the message is simple: follow Nishad Kumar's career. Athletes like him are proving that talent from small towns, with the right support, can dominate on the world stage. His double gold in Japan is not just a win for him — it is a win for Indian para sports.
We believe this result should push more attention and support toward para-athletes in Himachal Pradesh and across the country. Nishad has done his part. It is time the system and the public do theirs.
Sources & References
- Original news report on Nishad Kumar's double gold at the Para Asian Games, including quotes from coach Naseem Ahmad