Dhanalakshmi, an Olympian, breaks down after learning of her sister’s death

Dhanalakshmi Sekhar, a member of the Indian mixed relay team in the 4×400 m at the Tokyo Olympics, was inconsolable upon her return to Tiruchirappalli after learning of her sister’s death due to illness.

Dhanalakshmi, a reserve member of the team, was not informed of her sister’s death due to illness because her family wanted her to concentrate on the event.

When she arrived in Tiruchirappalli with her teammate Shubha Venkataraman, she was informed and broke down, kneeling on her knees and with her face cupped in her hands, after learning about her sister, who had been a huge support in her career.

Dhanalakshmi had a sensational performance at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, breaking P T Usha’s record in the 200 m heats and winning gold in the 100m against Dutee Chand.

She won gold in the 100m with a time of 11.39 seconds, and she set a new record in the 200m with a time of 23.26 seconds, breaking Usha’s previous record of 23.30 seconds set 23 years ago.

Dhanalakshmi started out as a kho-kho player, but a physical education teacher at school suggested she switch to sprinting, and she trained under Indian railway athlete Manikanda Arumugam.

The sprinter’s father, Sekhar, died when she was young, and she was raised by her farmer mother, Usha.