After three years, veteran rower Dattu is back in the national camp
The life of Olympian and gold medalist rower Dattu Bhokanal has been full of unexpected turns. The rower had reached the lowest point after experiencing the greatest of highs. He is unique, however, because of his never-give-up mindset. He has always been able to find a way out of problems, no matter how enormous.
After disappearing for three years, the 32-year-old Maharashtra native added another chapter to his remarkable tale of redemption when he arrived at the national camp. The program, which takes place in Hyderabad from December 24 to January 26, is intended to help Indian rowers get ready for their attempt to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. It pleases me to see him return. The head of the Rowing Federation of India (RFI), Rajlaxmi Singh Deo, told this publication, “We salute his grit and determination.” Dattu’s 2023 National Games silver medal in single sculls was what opened the door for him to rejoin the national team. Dattu represented his state in the meet after voluntarily leaving the Indian Army. In order to improve the abilities of future athletes, he also founded a rowing institute in his state.
Considering his humble upbringing, when getting by was a constant struggle, Dattu gained notoriety when he was selected to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016. While competing for his nation in the sports spectacular, he made history by placing 13th in the single sculls, which at the time was the greatest finish by an Indian rower in the Games. At the 2018 Asian Games, he won gold in the quadruple sculls, adding yet another feather to his crown.
But after then, things have not gone well for Dattu. He became involved in issues, and in 2019 the RFI banned him for two years for allegedly not completing the single sculls event at the 2018 Asian Games. The fact that he was the target of a 2019 Federal Investigation for allegedly deceiving and harassing his ex-wife made matters worse. As the Bombay High Court dismissed the FIR in 2019 and the RFI removed the ban the next year, he weathered the onslaught and even made it to the national camp.
However, at year’s end, he found himself in difficulty once again when the Army Rowing Node (ARN) ordered him to return to his unit, the Bombay Engineer Group & Center in Pune, due to his insistence on receiving leave from the national camp. “If you’re wondering how I stayed motivated, I always think it helps to put things in perspective. Dattu said to this daily, “There were moments when I was soaring with achievement and others when I was receiving criticism because nothing went my way on the personal or professional front.
He feels rejuvenated after being called up, and Dattu expressed his gratitude to RFI and its president for having trust in him. “I am appreciative that the RFI and President Rajlaxmi ma’am let me to submit a bid for the 2024 Games. This is another chance for me to gain honors for my nation after the 2016 Olympics.”
Eleven rowers in all have been selected for the national camp. These campers will now participate in the senior nationals, which are set to take place at the ARN, Pune from January 28 to February 3, along with other competitors. Before holding selection trials nearer to the Olympic Qualification Regatta, the RFI will first choose the medal winners or the top four finishers from the nationals to attend an additional camp.
Only one boat from the nation will be able to compete in the Paris Games due to Olympic qualifying requirements. The experienced lightweight double sculls rowers Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh are predicted to put up a fierce battle against Dattu. Although it would be difficult for the seasoned rower to make the cut, Dattu cannot be written out either, considering his past. As with previous times, when he enters the camp, one can anticipate that he will put in his best effort and write another fairytale in the days ahead.
