Stories
Simran Sharma Overcomes Betrayal and Dares to Trust Again for Asian Para Games
- •Paralympic medallist and world champion sprinter Simran Sharma is preparing for the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, targeting gold medals in the T12 category.
- •Simran faced severe emotional distress and heartbreak after her former guide runner, Umar Saifi, tested positive for a prohibited substance following their success at the World Para Athletics Championships.
- •After a six-week break, she found a new guide runner, Shivam, through Instagram, and they began training together at the start of 2026 to build crucial stride coordination.
- •Alongside her athletic ambitions, Simran is balancing the demanding responsibilities of motherhood, often spending months away from her two children while training for major competitions.
Key Questions Answered
Simran Sharma had to find a new guide runner after her former partner, Umar Saifi, tested positive for a prohibited substance following their success at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. The controversy and emotional heartbreak left her struggling to trust others, prompting a six-week break before she connected with her new partner, Shivam, via Instagram.
After taking a break from training and searching for a new guide runner, Simran Sharma and her husband and coach, Gajju, discovered Shivam through Instagram. Impressed by his running abilities in the 100m and 200m events from his videos, they contacted him, and the pair began training together at the start of 2026.
At the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the 26-year-old T12 category Paralympic medallist and world champion is targeting two gold medals while aiming to improve her overall performances. She is also focused on strengthening her coordination and developing a strong competitive bond with her new guide runner, Shivam.
