From Saving For The Family To A Shibuya Shoe Spree: Nishad Kumar's Double Gold In Asian Para Games Has Changed Everything

Nishad Kumar has now won medals in Japan three times, and the third haul is the shiniest.© X (Twitter)

Two events, two golds and a Games record in high jump. Nishad Kumar has now won medals in Japan three times, and the third haul is the shiniest. At the Asian Para Games, the T47 athlete took gold in the long jump with 7.11m, making his debut at this level in the event, and followed it with gold in the high jump at 2.04m, a Games record. The man who owns two Paralympic silvers left with two Asian Para Games golds. Japan has a way of showing up in his story. Tokyo was his first Paralympics, and it gave him silver.

The World Championships were staged here too, and he took silver again. "It feels great to be back in Japan," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview. "Talking about Tokyo, that was my first Paralympics and I won silver there. My third World Championship was also held in Japan, and I won silver there as well. This time it's gold, back to back."

The back-to-back part is what made it special. Nishad had never competed on consecutive days before, and the schedule did not go as planned. "We had planned for one or two long jumps and then three jumps at the end," he said. "That plan could not be executed. We had to jump six by six, and there was a lot of fatigue in the body." Dehydration set in and his muscles felt weak. He had to refuel after the long jump without eating so much that he felt heavy for the high jump.

Asked whether it was the toughest competition of his life, he gave a measured answer. "I can't say it was difficult. It was a new learning experience."

The day was long too. A one-hour warm-up, a 40-minute ride to the stadium, a wait in the call room, then the event itself. Nishad credits his head as much as his legs. "Self-confidence and mental preparation are very important," he said. "I have seen many players get nervous in front of an audience. If you are not mentally prepared, you will lose." On the weather, he was grateful. "It was supposed to rain, but it did not. God helped me."

For a man who spends most of his year in training camps, the medals have brought the odd treat. The interviewer reminded him of his first international trip, when he came home with gifts for his parents. Nishad said the habit has continued. "We are managing it according to the happiness we get from small things."

This time the treat was a pair of shoes. While other athletes were buying Onitsuka Tiger, Nishad wandered into a showroom across the street in Shibuya, drawn by the pairs hanging outside. "I bought one that no one else would have bought," he said with a grin. It is his second pair from the brand. He bought the first at the previous Asian Games in China and found it "very comfortable".

The break will be short. He plans a 20- to 25-day rest, then a long stint in Europe, roughly two months, building towards the World Championships in June. "Our next target is the World Championship," he said. "I pray to God that everything stays healthy."

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