Dattu Baban Bhokanal

1.1. Childhood and Family

Dattu Bhokanal was born on April 5, 1991, in Talegaon Rohi, located in the Chandwad Taluka of Nashik, Maharashtra, India. His family faced severe economic struggles, as his parents earned a meager income as daily wage laborers, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. From as early as the fifth grade, Bhokanal began helping his father with the arduous work of digging wells. This demanding physical labor inadvertently contributed to building the stamina and strong arms that would later become crucial assets in his rowing career. Bhokanal, standing at approximately 6 ft 2 in tall and weighing around 179 lb ^{(179 lb)}, possessed a physical build well-suited for the rigorous demands of rowing. At one point, he even considered making well-digging his primary profession. Bhokanal grew up in a region frequently afflicted by water scarcity and drought, a challenging environment that makes his later success in a water-based sport all the more remarkable.

1.2. Education and Early Work

Due to his family's financial distress, Bhokanal dropped out of school in 2007. To support his family, he took on various odd jobs, including masonry work, serving as a waiter at wedding parties, and working as a helper on farms. He also gained experience as a driver for tractors, earthmovers, and other transportation vehicles. To maximize his contribution to the family income, he worked at a petrol pump during the night and on a farm during the day. Despite his early departure from formal education, he returned to school in 2010 to complete his tenth grade. However, his educational pursuits were cut short once again.

1.3. Enlistment in the Indian Army

In 2011, Bhokanal's father passed away due to bone cancer. As the eldest child, this untimely death placed the responsibility of financially supporting his family squarely on his shoulders. Recognizing the urgent need for a permanent and stable source of income, Dattu Bhokanal sought employment. In 2012, he successfully cleared all the physical tests at an Indian Army open recruitment drive held in the Beed district of Maharashtra. Following this, he was selected to join the Indian Army as a Havaldar, a significant step towards securing his family's future.

1.4. Personal Challenges and Resilience

Throughout his life, Dattu Bhokanal demonstrated immense resilience in overcoming personal adversities. Growing up in a drought-stricken region, access to water was a constant challenge, making it ironic that he would later excel in a sport that requires extensive use of water bodies. Perhaps more remarkably, Bhokanal confessed in an interview with Virender Sehwag that he was terrified of water bodies during his childhood. This fear adds another layer to his inspiring journey, showcasing his ability to confront and conquer his deepest anxieties to pursue his athletic dreams.

Another profound personal challenge occurred shortly before his planned departure for the FISA Asia Oceania Olympic Qualifier in South Korea in 2016. His mother suffered severe brain damage from a fall, leading to almost total amnesia, and ultimately resulting in her death. Despite this immense personal tragedy, Bhokanal persevered, a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering commitment to his goals.

2.1. Early Training and Development

Bhokanal began his rowing journey in 2012 at the Bombay Engineer Group & Centre (Khadki) in Pune, Maharashtra. Recognizing his potential, he transferred to the Army Rowing Node (ARN) in Pune in 2013, seeking more specialized and advanced training. His first coach was Kudrat Ali, who laid the foundational skills for his rowing technique. Currently, he is trained under Ismail Baig, a recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, who serves as the chief national rowing coach at the ARN in Pune. Under Baig's guidance, Bhokanal honed his skills and prepared for elite competitions.

2.2. Olympic Participation

Dattu Bhokanal achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, where he was the only Indian rower to compete. He secured his Olympic berth after winning a silver medal in the men's single sculls event at the FISA Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta. This event took place in Chungju, South Korea, in 2016, where he completed the race with a time of 7 minutes and 07.63 seconds. His qualification was a historic moment, as he became only the ninth rower to represent India at the Olympics.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bhokanal competed in the men's single sculls event. He secured the 13th position overall, clocking a time of 6 minutes and 54.96 seconds in his race.

2.3. Major International and National Competitions

Throughout his career, Dattu Bhokanal has achieved notable success in various major international and national rowing competitions.

In 2018, he won a gold medal in the men's quadruple sculls at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang, clocking 6 minutes and 17.13 seconds. He also competed in the men's single sculls at the same games, finishing in 5th place with a time of 7 minutes and 47 seconds. Previously, at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, he finished 5th in the men's double sculls with a time of 6 minutes and 47 seconds.

At the 2015 Asian Rowing Championship in Beijing, Bhokanal earned a silver medal in the men's single sculls, completing the race in 7 minutes and 18 seconds. In 2016, he won a gold medal at the American National Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, in the men's single sculls event, with a time of 7 minutes and 04 seconds.

On the national stage, Bhokanal has demonstrated consistent dominance. He secured a gold medal in the men's single sculls at the 2014 Senior National Championship in Pune, finishing in 7 minutes and 26 seconds. He repeated this feat at the 2017 Senior National Championship, also held in Pune, winning another gold medal in the men's single sculls. Furthermore, he claimed a gold medal at the 2017 Indoor National Championship in Pune, clocking 6 minutes and 32 seconds in the men's single sculls.

3.1. Medal Record by Competition

5.1. Social Recognition

Bhokanal's perseverance and achievements have garnered him significant public acknowledgment. In 2017, he was featured on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlighting his impact as a young achiever in the field of sports. His remarkable life story has also been documented in a biography titled "Dattu-The Rowing Man," written in the Marathi language by Dr. Santosh Khedalekar, further cementing his place as a role model. His success as a top rower from a region historically facing severe water scarcity also serves as a powerful narrative of defying circumstances and achieving the extraordinary.