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Journalism of Courage
NAME: Dattu Bhokanal, 24-year-old Armyman , hails from the state of Maharashtra will be India’s sole rower at Rio.He finished 10th standard, but didn’t like books much. After the demise of his father, after fighting against bone cancer in 2011, the eldest in the family knew he needed a secure job to support his family. Dattu, 6’3” cleared all physical test at the army’s open recruitment drive in Beed district.
Shortly before he was due to depart for South Korea, his mother suffered brain damage in a fall resulting in almost total amnesia. With family problems, he has seen much worse in life. From working at a petrol pump when field work didn’t earn much, he got kicked out of driving trucks.
Career Highlights: Bhokanal’s best international achievement so far was winning a silver in men’s single sculls in the 16th Asian Rowing Championships in China last year. He won two gold medals in the 2014 National Rowing Championships and represented India at the 2014 Asian Games in China.
Qualification: Dattu Bhokanal won the silver medal at the FISA Asian and Oceania Olympic qualification regatta. Rower clocked 7 mins 07.49 seconds in the 2km course.
Record: Bhokanal’s best international achievement so far was winning a silver in men’s single sculls in the 16th Asian Rowing Championships in China last year.
Event: Dattu will represents India at the Rio 2016 Olympics in rowing- Singles Sculls
Schedule: Men’s singles sculls rowing round is scheduled to take place on August 6 to August 9.
