Hope Tokyo Paralympics medal ends desperate wait for a job, says high-jumper Nishad Kumar | Tokyo Paralympics News – Times of India

CHANDIGARH: For an athlete, who had never heard of para sports till 2017, a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 must mean the world to him. But for Himachal Pradesh’s Nishad Kumar, a second-place podium finish means he is still a work in progress, as he simplifies it in Hindi: “Medal se khush hoon, par apne effort se nahin (I’m happy with the medal, not with my effort).
Nishad, a 2019 World Para Championship bronze medallist, had recovered twice from Covid-19 before his Asian record leap of 2.06m fetched a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 event at the recently-concluded Paralympics.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, the 21-year-old from Una district whose right hand has been amputated, reveals how a smartphone changed his destiny and hopes his medal will end his desperation for a job.
Nishad, who had travelled to Tokyo less than a week before his event, listed humidity and rapid weight gain as the major reasons for failing to cross the 2.07m mark, which he had cleared during the trials in New Delhi in June.

“Two-three days before my competition, it rained and the humidity levels shot up. I had fixed a target in mind but due to humidity, the leap needed more force and the body couldn’t provide the required momentum. I had cleared 2.07m during the trials, and got the silver at 2.06, so the disappointment is quite natural,” Nishad said.
“Also, when I boarded the fight to Tokyo, I weighed around 71kg, and in three-four days, I gained around 3kg as I missed a proper diet. This surely had an impact on the jump. But it’s past now… no point looking back,” he added.
STRUGGLE FOR SECURITY
Nishad’s father Rashpal Singh owns less than an acre of agricultural land and doubles up as a mason to maintain his family of four, which includes his wife Pushpa Kumari and daughter Rama Kumari. To fund his son’s training, Rashpal would often travel to Punjab to earn a few extra bucks besides taking loan from the village cooperative society.
While things seem to have changed from an outsider’s perspective, and Nishad doesn’t want his ageing father to continue masonry anymore, but he was quick to point out the struggles of a jobless athlete.

“A job is for a lifetime, we athletes have a very short shelf life, we will be active for another 10 years. More than cash awards and anything, what I’m looking for is a job. I don’t want my old father to continue his work as a mason,” he said.
“For the past 2-3 years, I am trying my best to get a job. It gives you the security to play with an open mind. After the 2019 World Championships bronze, the central government awarded me with Rs 8 lakh, but there was no job offer — neither from the state nor the centre. I hope the Paralympics medal will be a lucky charm for me,” he said.
‘SMART’ SWITCH
A smartphone bought from prize money won in a local competition inspired Nishad to take up para sports in 2017. Before that, he had participated in able-bodied competitions.
“Ghar mein na TV tha na koi android phone (had no TV or smartphone at home). I got my first phone in 2016 after winning a gold medal at an inter-district competition (for able-bodied athletes) in Hamirpur. The prize money was Rs 3,500, which was raised mainly by contributions from the coaches and spectators.

“Then my father and a cousin added another Rs 2,500, and with that money, I got my first smartphone, costing Rs 5,500. I used it to watch videos of para sports, and then I decided to switch to para athletics.
“In March 2018, I took silver with a jump of 1.83m in my first para athletics competition in Panchkula. But things remained the same back home, kabhi sukhe chawal kha ke, kabhi roti aur achar se raat gujarna padta tha (at times we would have just rice or chapati with pickle to eat before sleeping).”
SILVER IS FOR MOM
Terming his mother as his “biggest inspiration”, an emotional Nishad recalled how she had stood like a rock through his lean patches.

“My mother had been a state-level volleyball player and a discus-thrower. Ever since I understood sports, I have always looked up to her, and after my hand was amputated, she never made me feel that I lacked in anything. This silver is for her.”
Before signing off, Nishad revealed that he would have joined the forces had he not been into sports.
“I always wanted to be a part of the Armed forces, serve my country. My first cousins are in the Army, and that uniform is what I have the utmost respect for. For now, I am happy to be representing India in sports.”