Simran Sharma commands attention on the track. Her speed defines her now. But her story starts with a fight for something much simpler: breath.
Born severely premature, she spent her first six months in an incubator. A visual impairment shaped her early life in Delhi. Neighbors questioned her potential, casting doubt from the start.
She carried a determination stronger than sight. This para athlete transformed a limitation into a launchpad. Her journey from a fragile infant to a world-class competitor is a testament to pure will. It’s a story for anyone told they couldn’t.
She built a foundation for athletic excellence with every challenged breath. Each one was a promise that she would run.
Early Inspirations and Overcoming Challenges
Her journey started not on the track, but in an incubator, fighting for each breath that would one day power her running. The early months defined her struggle, but they also forged the determination that would become her greatest strength.
Childhood Struggles and Visual Impairment
Visual impairment marked Simran Sharma as different in a community that valued conformity. Neighbors whispered doubts, but her father Manoj Sharma saw past the limitations. He provided constant support despite financial constraints that prevented proper training.
Manoj Sharma believed in his daughter when others didn’t. His unwavering support became the foundation for everything that followed. The family’s limited resources couldn’t dim her early sporting success.
Family Support and Early Sporting Interest
School competitions brought her first medals, won through raw talent alone. At Rukmani Modi Mahila Inter College, her life trajectory shifted dramatically. She excelled without the training resources most athletes take for granted.
This period proved that true strength comes from within. The story of her early years shows how determination can overcome any obstacle. Family support made the difference when resources were scarce.
The Role of Mentors and Personal Determination
In 2015, army soldier Gajendra Singh entered her life. He immediately recognized her sprinting potential despite the visual impairment. The coach saw what others missed—a champion waiting to emerge.
Gajendra Singh rearranged his life around her training. Late-night sessions at the stadium became their routine after his army duties. Their shared passion for athletics brought them closer over time.
They married in 2017, blending personal and professional lives. Gajendra Singh became both husband and coach, dedicating his entire army salary to her training. His mother defended their unconventional approach against community criticism.
When neighbors questioned Simran wearing athletic clothes instead of traditional attire, her mother-in-law had the perfect response. She asked if they would refuse to watch when this remarkable woman represented India on the world stage.
Simran Sharma: Breaking Barriers in Para-Athletics
School tracks became the proving ground where raw talent first announced itself. Medals piled up despite limited resources. This para athlete demonstrated that some gifts need no formal training to shine.
First Steps and School Competitions
Early competitions revealed a natural speed that formal infrastructure couldn’t provide. At Rukmani Modi Mahila Inter College, she discovered sprinting wasn’t just an activity but her identity.
Medals accumulated through pure instinct. Her body understood pace before any coach could explain it. College events became crucial testing grounds.
Transitioning to National and International Events
Gajendra Singh’s coaching transformed raw ability into refined technique. Training sessions at SAI JLN Stadium built a foundation for bigger stages. Her husband invested everything in her development.
The 2021 season brought international experience at the China Grand Prix and World Para Grand Prix in Dubai. These events prepared her for the ultimate test.
Simran Sharma made history by qualifying for the Tokyo Paralympics as India’s first para-athlete. Though no medal resulted, the T12 classification event proved she belonged among world elites. The experience fueled greater ambition.
This transition from local tracks to global platforms showed what’s possible with dedicated support. Her coach and husband created a path where none existed before.
Highlights and Milestones on the Global Stage
A bronze in Paris, a gold in Kobe, and a historic double gold on home soil—these are the milestones that define her ascent. Each race built upon the last, creating a legacy of consistency and peak performance on the world’s biggest platforms for para athletics.
Major Championships and Record-Setting Performances
The 2022 Asian Para Games delivered her first major international medals. She earned two silver medals in the 100m and 200m T12 events, announcing herself as a consistent podium threat.
Her breakthrough as a world champion came at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe. She won gold in the 200m T12. Later that year, she secured a bronze medal in the same event at the Paris Paralympics.
The pinnacle arrived at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. On home soil, she achieved a stunning double. She first won gold in the 100m T12 with a personal best of 11.95 seconds.
Days later, she clinched another gold in the 200m T12. This victory set a new Asian record of 24.46 seconds. That day became India’s most rewarding at the championships.
Awards, Recognitions, and World Rankings
Her success translated into formal honors. In 2024, she received the prestigious Arjuna Award for outstanding achievement in sports.
Her career highlights and records include:
- Gold medals at the World Para Athletics Championships (200m T12 in 2024; 100m & 200m T12 in 2025)
- Bronze medal in the 200m T12 at the Paris Paralympics (2024)
- Asian Record holder in the women’s 200m T12 (24.46 seconds)
- Personal best of 11.95 seconds in the 100m T12
These achievements cemented her status as a top-ranked athlete in her category. Her story of strength reached a global audience through interviews and news coverage.
Final Reflections on an Inspiring Journey
Some athletes are defined by their medals; this champion is defined by the obstacles she refused to accept. Simran Sharma’s life story proves that starting points don’t determine finish lines. Her journey from incubator to international podiums shows what true strength can accomplish.
Her husband Gajendra Singh played a crucial role in this success. He invested everything—time, salary, belief—when others saw only limitations. Their partnership transformed personal support into professional triumph. This husband-coach relationship became the foundation for her athletic achievements.
The real victory extends beyond track records. Her story inspires women facing similar challenges across India. It demonstrates that disability never disqualifies ambition. True success comes from the courage to be different and the determination to prove doubters wrong with results that speak for themselves.
