Asian Games medallist rower Dharmesh Sangwan killed in South Sudan violence

Indian rower Dharmesh Sangwan lost his life amidst violence in South Sudan.

The recent civil violence in South Sudan territory has claimed the life of Dharmesh Sangwan, a former Indian rower.

The deceased Indian athlete is among the hundreds who lost their lives during a cross-firing in the United Nation compound of South Sudan. An Asian Championship gold medallist and Asian Games silver medallist, Dharmesh, 32, was among the two soldiers who lost their lives on Thursday night.

Sangwan, who was an Army subedar in addition to being a decorated rowing champion, had been serving as a UN peacekeeper in the region since the last six months.

Col C P Singh Deo, former president of the Rowing Federation of India, expressed shock at the unfortunate turn of events. He said, “There is a sense of disbelief at the ongoing national camp in Hyderabad. He was one of the best rowers India has produced. Everyone is in mourning.”

National coach Ismail Baig, who spotted Sangwan’s talent in 2001 told The Indian Express, “We selected 17 boys from Rajputana Rifles for the national camp in Hyderabad and he was among them. He was extremely talented and focused. We knew he had the potential to make it big.”

Sangwan was one of the few Indian rowers to have made a mark on the international circuit in the past few years. This news surely comes as a major blow for the whole Indian rowing fraternity.