Commonwealth Games 2026: Sharmila Dhankar’s Gold Ends India’s Long Wait in Para Athletics
Glasgow, 28th July 2026: Indian para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar scripted history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games by becoming the country’s first-ever para athletics gold medallist after winning the women’s Shot Put F57 event with a season-best throw of 9.81 metres. The landmark victory also marked India’s first para athletics gold in Commonwealth Games history and added another gold medal to the country’s tally in Glasgow.
The 40-year-old comfortably finished ahead of Ghana’s Zinabu Issah, who claimed the silver medal with a throw of 8.65 metres, while Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi initially secured bronze with 8.19 metres. Dhankar remained in control throughout the competition, with her season-best effort proving enough to seal the top spot.
The event later witnessed a dramatic twist after an official review led to Iyiazi’s disqualification, resulting in Indian para-athlete Shilpa K. Shyla being upgraded from fourth place to the bronze medal position. The revision handed India its first double podium finish of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in para athletics.
Dhankar’s victory is another milestone in a journey defined by resilience. Hailing from Haryana’s Mahendragarh district, she took up para athletics only a few years ago after overcoming significant personal and financial hardships. She had earlier finished fifth at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, where she registered a personal best of 10.03 metres, and entered the Commonwealth Games in strong form.
Following her historic triumph, Dhankar dedicated the medal to her mother and said she hopes to continue bringing glory to India, with her focus now shifting towards future international competitions, including the Asian Games and the Paralympics.
The gold also headlined India’s strongest day yet at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the contingent adding multiple medals across weightlifting, athletics and para sports to significantly boost its position in the overall medal standings.
