Paralympic long jump medallist Hum dies aged 32

Australian Para-athlete Nicholas Hum, who won a bronze medal in long jump at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021, has died at the age 32.

Hum made his international debut at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships and competed in three Paralympics and five World Para Athletics Championships. His final appearance was at the Paralympic Games in Paris last summer.

He holds the Australian record in the long jump T20 with a distance of 7.39m.

In a statement, Australian Athletics said Hum, who died over the weekend in Melbourne, “made a lasting impact on team-mates and competitors, coaches and staff alike”.

Australian Athletics has not announced the cause of Hum’s death.

Its chief executive officer Simon Hollingsworth said Hum, who competed in a classification for athletes with an intellectual impairment, “was a much-loved member of our community and his loss is deeply felt”.

“He was respected not only for his commitment to his sport but for the way he showed up for those around him,” Hollingsworth added.