Vikram Baneta| Panchkula6 hours in the past
Sharmila Dhankar, who gained the gold medal within the Girls’s Para Shot Put F57 occasion on the Commonwealth Video games 2026, had a time in her life when she had determined to distance herself from the video games. She simply talked about this to her mom one final time.
Sharmila had advised her mom, Santosh, that the medal hadn’t come, and what would occur if she obtained injured throughout observe forward and could not play.
To which Sharmila’s visually impaired mom Santosh mentioned one thing that made the differently-abled Sharmila get again on the sphere. Sharmila’s mom had mentioned that she would even promote her share of land, simply hold taking part in. After which Sharmila continued with sports activities.
Really, Sharmila Dhankar, who had already offered her share of land, confronted a poor monetary scenario after ending fourth within the 2022 Commonwealth.
Due to the fourth place, she couldn’t obtain any authorities help quantity. As a result of not being financially succesful and having already spent rather a lot, the considered leaving the video games had come to her thoughts.
After successful the gold, Dainik Bhaskar spoke with Sharmila and her mom. Let’s learn this particular dialog…
First, see some images of Sharmila
Sharmila sweats rather a lot within the gymnasium earlier than shot put observe. She works out within the gymnasium for 1 to 2 hours.
Sharmila Dhankar together with her elder daughter, Anuj.
Sharmila advised how she made a comeback after defeat…
- Husband left his store, made her give attention to video games: Sharmila Dhankar mentioned that after she completed fourth on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games, her husband Ajit shut down his store to assist her comeback. He earlier ran a submersible motor restore store. Now, he works from house on a name foundation, relying on the time he has out there.
- Husband gave time at stadium and gymnasium: Not simply dropping Sharmila on the stadium, husband Ajit additionally supported her on the stadium. When she threw the shot put, Ajit would decide it up and convey it again. Moreover this, Ajit would take Sharmila to the gymnasium and make her observe there too to maintain her match.
- Neighbors threatened mom, however choice remained agency: In accordance with Sharmila Dhankar’s mom, when she wished to promote the land, neighbors had said- In the event you promote the land on your daughter, why would your son provide you with meals. Sharmila’s mom responded that I get a pension of ₹3,000; I can handle with that. If my daughter wins a medal, she is going to give it again later.
- Mom additionally supported second marriage: In accordance with Sharmila’s mom, she had 3 daughters from her first marriage, one among whom died. When her husband used to torture her, she endured it for 12 years attributable to social stigma. Later, her mom steered a second marriage, and she or he discovered a supportive husband in Ajit.
Sharmila’s mom Santosh.
Name from Sharmila’s mom: she mentioned – Now I’ve a second start
After successful in Glasgow, Sharmila referred to as her mom, Santosh, and requested, ‘Are you content now?’ Her mom replied, “Your complete village is blissful now, daughter.” Santosh then advised Sharmila, “I really feel as if I’ve been born once more.”
Sharmila’s mom, Santosh, mentioned athletes typically face monetary hardships. The household offered a few of their land, invested the cash in Sharmila’s coaching, and likewise took loans at curiosity. “However now, by successful this medal, Sharmila has ended all our struggles,” she mentioned.
Sharmila Dhankar throwing in the course of the competitors.
Now learn about Sharmila’s journey to turning into a para athlete…
- Polio at age 2, one leg affected: Sharmila Dhankar is from Chitrauli village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana. On the age of two, she contracted polio, which affected one among her legs. Her father was a small farmer, whereas her mom is visually impaired. As a result of monetary constraints, she couldn’t obtain correct remedy. As a result of household circumstances, she was married off at a younger age.
- Husband left her at age 26, then made a contemporary begin: On the age of 26, her first husband threw her out of the home. By then she had two daughters. After this, she returned to her maternal house with each daughters. On the age of 28, she married Ajit for the second time. After studying news about para-athletes within the newspaper, Ajit inspired her to construct a profession in para-athletics and supported her at each step.
- Needed to promote home to bear coaching bills: Sharmila’s para-athletics journey has not been simple. On the age of 34, she began coaching within the F57 class seated shot put underneath the steerage of coaches Tekchand and Devendra in Rewari. The monetary constraints had been so extreme that in 2023, she needed to promote her home to rearrange cash for coaching bills. After this, the household began dwelling in a rented home, however Sharmila didn’t quit observe.
- Each daughters are additionally state-level gamers: Each of Sharmila’s daughters are additionally constructing careers in sports activities. Elder daughter Anuj (17) is a javelin throw participant, whereas youthful daughter Lakshmi (13) practices lengthy soar. Each are state-level gamers.
