New Delhi, October 4: Nishad Kumar is just the kind of character that you need in para-sports. The high jumper in the T47 category has the kind of charm that draws spectators to the stands. His aura not only enhances your viewing experience but also keeps you on the edge, anticipating something special, the very next moment. And for him, one witnessed a fan craze which was seldom seen on the previous days of the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.
After bagging a slew of silver medals at world events, Nishad reached the top of the podium. Nishad won India’s sixth gold at the World Championships, with a best jump of 2.14m, which also resulted in an Asian Record.
Unlike most other events on other days of the competition, almost an entire block was backing Nishad throughout. Every jump was cheered and every miss backed — the kind of mood you want to see at a stadium.
However, someone else who didn’t have a good day at the office, Roderick Townsend, had a different view of the New Delhi crowd.
Townsend, who has perhaps won every title since 2015 — including back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in Tokyo and Paris, had to settle for bronze in the Indian capital.
They both have immense respect for each other. “Not my best day. Obviously, I’ve won every major high jump competition since 2015,” said Townsend. “Nishad is a spectacular jumper, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him. He’s always kept me really honest in my training and everything that I do.”
“I’m sure Nishad wishes that I had a better day because I know he wants to beat me on my best day—just like I want to beat him on his best day,” he added.
Speaking of the mutual respect and camaraderie for his fellow athlete, he said, “No, we don’t talk much. He’s a very friendly guy. We see each other at competitions in the United States from time to time. It’s more cordial than anything.”
“He’s really supportive—anytime I post a picture of my baby, he always comments on it. He’s a great young man, and I’m just happy to be able to jump against him. And like I said, I know he wants to beat me on my best day.”
At a time when Nishad’s gold was confirmed, he wanted to go for the World Record at 2.18m, but ultimately didn’t make it. Townsend explained how the competition helps each other improve. “I think he was capable of doing it. The toughest part may have been me being out of the competition for too long,” he said.
“If I’m there jumping with him, he probably clears that height. That’s why I said I’m sure he wished I had a better day—because it would’ve only made his day better. I know how that feels, being on the other end. But today wasn’t a surprise for me. I knew if I wanted to win, I had to have a great day.”
However, New Delhi didn’t give the former World Champion a warm cheer. Just like the crowd backed Nishad’s every jump, Townsend’s every miss was also being cheered for.
“I think it’s just an unfamiliarity with the sport. When we are in Los Angeles in 2028, you’ll see that when Nishad is jumping, the crowd will cheer for him, but they won’t cheer his misses.”
“That’s important because this is our livelihood. When somebody misses and you hear cheers, it’s unfortunate. In LA 2028, the crowd will cheer for his success and stand by him through any losses. That’s the kind of support we’d like to see,” he said.
“I’m probably happier for Nishad than anyone else in the stands, because I know how hard it is. I’m proud of him.”
Nishad also echoed similar feelings, and said this exclusively to RevSportz, “It’s so great to see that fans have come to support their own athletes, but I urge them to show the same love and warmth to the foreign athletes as well,” he said. “When we go abroad to play, we know how important the support is, and it is not easy to be so far away from your family.”
“So, do share the love and passion for every athlete,” said Nishad.
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