Did Simran Sharma Ever Imagine Competing in the Olympics?

New Delhi, May 26 (NationPress) Paralympian Simran Sharma recounted her remarkable journey, overcoming immense challenges from her premature birth to proudly representing India on an international platform. Her story is one of resilience, hardship, and unwavering determination.

Simran's journey to the track was anything but ordinary, filled with obstacles from the very beginning. “Doctors claimed I wouldn't survive; back then, there was little concern - I was a girl born too early. Yet, my father fought for my life. I managed to survive, albeit with several difficulties. Growing up, I faced issues with my eyesight, muscles, and overall health. I never envisioned participating in the Olympics; my only desire was to find a job that would help my family,” she revealed during her appearance on the House of Glory podcast, a project by the Gagan Narang Sports Foundation.

However, everything transformed after her marriage. Her husband and coach, Gajendra Singh, recognized her potential. “He insisted I focus solely on eating well and training, forbidding me from performing household chores. He encouraged me not to conform to the traditional restrictions imposed on women in our village. His singular aim was the Olympics,” shared the bronze medallist from the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“There were times I pushed her so hard that she would vomit on the ground,” Gajendra recalled. “My mother once asked, ‘Are you trying to kill her?’ But I understood what it took to elevate her performance. I dedicated hours in the kitchen to perfect her diet while rigorously training her on the field.”

Yet, her challenges extended beyond physical training. During the 2019 World Championships, Simran competed while her father was on a ventilator, and her husband was struggling financially due to her training expenses.

“My father’s medication cost Rs 150, which we couldn’t afford. Everyone blamed my husband for supporting my dreams. I reached a breaking point and contemplated suicide,” Simran disclosed.

But with her husband’s unwavering support, she managed to overcome her despair, saying, “He reassured me, ‘We may stumble, but we will rise again. I’ll stand by you until the end.’”

Today, Simran stands stronger - in every way imaginable. She has built homes for her mother and mother-in-law, and she has won her first-ever bronze medal at the Paralympics. Simran’s narrative transcends athletic aspirations; it embodies defying the odds, healing, and reimagining the essence of support.