1. Overview
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa (दाछिरी शेर्पाDāchhiri SherpāNepali, born November 3, 1969) is a Nepalese cross-country skier and ultrarunner renowned for his unique career path and significant humanitarian efforts. His athletic journey, beginning in the Himalayas and extending to international competitions, showcases his exceptional endurance and determination. Beyond his remarkable sporting achievements, including holding the record for the first Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Sherpa has dedicated himself to philanthropic activities, founding a charity to support his home country and actively engaging in humanitarian initiatives. His story embodies a profound commitment to personal excellence and social progress, serving as an inspiration for many.
2. Early life and upbringing
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa's early life was marked by both traditional upbringing and significant personal challenges in the high-altitude environment of Nepal.
2.1. Childhood and early experiences
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa was born on November 3, 1969, in the village of Solukhumbu, Nepal, located approximately 8.9 K ft (2.70 K m) above sea level, near Mount Everest. At the age of six, he entered a monastery where he spent his formative years learning the principles of Buddhism, martial arts, and meditation. This period instilled in him discipline and a unique perspective. However, at the age of thirteen, the death of his father compelled him to leave the monastery and return to his village to care for his younger siblings, taking on significant family responsibilities at a young age.
2.2. Early employment and language acquisition
To support his family, Sherpa began working at an early age. He found employment as a cook for various trekking agencies that operated in the Himalayan region. During this time, he had frequent interactions with international tourists. Notably, he acquired proficiency in the English language by conversing with Dutch tourists, demonstrating his adaptability and eagerness to learn even amidst his demanding work.
3. Sports career
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa's sports career is distinctive, characterized by his success in both grueling ultrarunning events and the challenging discipline of cross-country skiing, representing Nepal on the international stage.
3.1. Ultrarunning
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa first entered the world of mountain running at the age of 25, participating in a competition held in Switzerland. While his brother secured a victory in the first stage of the race, Sherpa himself achieved a win in the second stage, marking the beginning of his illustrious ultrarunning career. In 1995, during another ultrarunning event in Switzerland, he met his future wife, and they married in 1998. He quickly gained recognition as one of the world's leading ultrarunners, known for conquering some of the most difficult races and for his remarkable sportsmanship, often described as possessing a kindness that allows him to "swallow kilometers."
Sherpa achieved his first major victory at the Verdun Marathon in 1998, laying the foundation for a significant record in trail running. He has since won over 100 ultrarunning competitions globally, including prestigious events such as the Annapurna Mandala Trail, Chimbe Raid, Interlacs, Grand Raid Mercantur, and the 6000D. Among his most notable achievements is his record-setting performance at the inaugural Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in 2003. In this race, which covers a distance of 96 mile (155 km) across France, Italy, and Switzerland, he completed the course in 20 hours, 5 minutes, and 59 seconds, securing an impressive victory.
3.2. Cross-country skiing
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa's transition into cross-country skiing has often been likened to the story depicted in the film Cool Runnings, which featured the Jamaica national bobsleigh team. In 2002, while residing in Switzerland, Sherpa received an unexpected proposal from the Nepal Olympic Committee to represent his country as a cross-country skier. This opportunity arose because, despite Nepal being home to Mount Everest, it lacked a developed ski infrastructure or slopes suitable for the sport. Switzerland, conversely, provided abundant ski facilities, making it an ideal training ground for him.
3.2.1. Participation in major international competitions
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa has competed in several major international cross-country skiing events, including three Winter Olympics, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, and the Winter Asian Games.
He first participated in the 2003 Asian Winter Games held in Aomori, Japan, and later competed in the 2007 Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China.
His Olympic appearances include:
- At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, he finished 94th out of 99 competitors in the men's 15 km classical event with a time of 56 minutes, 47.1 seconds.
- At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, he placed 92nd out of 96 athletes in the men's 15 km free event, recording a time of 44 minutes, 26.5 seconds.
- At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, he achieved his best Olympic finish, ranking 86th out of 91 participants in the men's 15 km classical event with a time of 55 minutes, 39.3 seconds.
He also competed in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 in Liberec, he finished 127th in the individual sprint event and was lapped in the 30 km mixed pursuit event. In the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2013 in Val di Fiemme, he was lapped in the 15 km + 15 km skiathlon event and did not start the sprint classical event. His best career finish in a 15 km event was eighth, achieved in Bulgaria in 2009.
| Rank | Event | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | 15 km Classic, 2006 | Turin, ITA | 56:47.1 |
| 92 | 15 km Free, 2010 | Vancouver, CAN | 44:26.5 |
| 86 | 15 km Classic, 2014 | Sochi, RUS | 55:39.3 |
| Rank | Event | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | Individual Sprint, 2009 | Liberec, CZE | - |
| LAP | 30 km Mixed Pursuit, 2009 | Liberec, CZE | LAP |
| 84 | 15 km + 15 km Skiathlon, 2013 | Val di Fiemme, ITA | LAP |
| - | Sprint Classic, 2013 | Val di Fiemme, ITA | DNS |
4. Personal life and philanthropic activities
Beyond his athletic pursuits, Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa is deeply involved in humanitarian work, striving to give back to his community and nation.
In 2007, he established his own charitable organization, Dawasherpa Experiences. This initiative aims to support various social causes, particularly those benefiting the people of Nepal. In 2014, Sherpa was appointed as a sponsor for Humani'Trail, a humanitarian trail running organization based in Les Diablerets, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. His involvement with such organizations underscores his commitment to using his platform for positive social impact, advocating for human rights and social progress through his charitable endeavors.