[PARA] CLIMBER
GOING FOR GOLD AT LA 2028
INDIA’S FIRST WORLD CHAMPION CLIMBER
🇮🇳
Born in Bangalore in 1986, Manikandan Kumar grew up in poverty and overcame childhood polio, which he contracted in his right leg at the age of five. When Kumar was 16, he took part in a school adventure camp in Bengaluru that would change the course of his life. He discovered climbing and just one year later, won a national competition — beating non-disabled competitors to the “Best Climber” prize.
Kumar soon had only one dream in mind: to become World Champion. One day in 2012, he left the family home without telling anyone of his plans. He secretly travelled to Paris and made history by winning India’s first ever gold medal at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships.
Paralympic Ambition
22 international medals later, Kumar is setting his sights on even bigger dreams. In 2025, he aims to become World Champion once again at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. His ultimate goal is to win Gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games — and in Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
The training and competition travel cost of reaching LA 2028 is estimated to total around $100,000. Kumar is currently seeking sponsors and donors to help him achieve his goal.
Alongside his competition successes, Kumar is dedicated to developing the climbing community in India. In 2020, he founded Bangalore Boulder, a bouldering gym and coaching initiative aimed at promoting the sport and nurturing new talent in his home country.
ACHIEVEMENTS
IFSC Paraclimbing World Cups
2 x 🥇
10 x 🥈
6 x 🥉
IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships
1 x 🥇
1 x 🥈
3 x 🥉
“Climbing changed my life forever. My passion helped me become World Champion. The dream is to become Paralympic Champion.”
- Manikandan Kumar
Contact
For sponsorship enquiries, media requests and anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out!