Reflecting on his rise in para athletics, Praveen admitted he never imagined reaching the heights he has achieved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t think that I would reach this far,\" he said in an upcoming episode of the Quest Talk podcast by iQOO. \"There are many other targets left. So, I have to work on them as well. One of those goals is winning gold at the World Para Athletics Championships. In the World Championship, I don\u2019t have gold yet. So in 2027, I will try to get gold in this,\u201d Praveen said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, his primary focus remains on the next Paralympic Games. \u201cAnd in 2028, LA is my main target,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Two-time Paralympic medalist Praveen also recounted how his journey in high jump began unexpectedly during his school days when he was studying in Class 9. \u201cI was in the 9th class. I found out that there was a sports day for athletics. I had to choose an event, but I didn\u2019t know what events were there,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After asking friends for advice, they suggested the high jump because of his volleyball background. \u201cI used to play volleyball with them. I was a spiker and a defender. They told me my jump was good and said I should try high jump once,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His friends improvised a crossbar using a wooden stick, and Praveen cleared it comfortably. \u201cThey brought a wooden stick and held it from both sides. I crossed it at their chest and shoulder height. They told me to do this event,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The challenge, however, was that the competition selections had already ended two weeks earlier. School authorities initially refused to let him participate. \u201cThey directly refused me. They said this was for able-bodied athletes and that I could have problems because I was disabled. My mother asked me what happened. I told her I wanted to play, but they were not letting me because I was disabled,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following intervention from his family and school management, Praveen was given another chance, but only after assuring officials that he would take responsibility for himself. \u201cI told them, take my application, and I will take the responsibility. You won\u2019t face any problem, but let me compete,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even on competition day, some competitors objected to his participation. \u201cThey told the referee not to let me compete because I was disabled. But the teacher told them, \u2018He will jump with one leg, while you have both legs. You should be able to do better,\u201d Praveen recalled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following intervention from his family and school management, Praveen was given another chance, but only after assuring officials that he would take responsibility for himself. \u201cI told them, take my application, and I will take the responsibility. You won\u2019t face any problem, but let me compete,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That medal marked the beginning of a journey that eventually led him to Paralympic glory. Now, with a World Championship gold and Los Angeles 2028 firmly in his sights, Praveen is determined to add new chapters to that remarkable story.<\/p>\r\n\r\n