Sharmila Dhankar Celebrated for Historic Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Warm Welcome for Sharmila Dhankar

On Tuesday morning, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sharmila Dhankar was greeted with enthusiasm at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport upon her return from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The para-athlete's remarkable victory in the women's shot put F57 event earned India its second gold medal of the Games, prompting family, friends, and supporters to gather in celebration.

After landing in Delhi, Sharmila expressed her joy, stating, "My family and entire country are very happy. I will strive to keep them happy."

A Golden Performance

Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympics Committee of India (PCI), praised the 40-year-old athlete's inspiring journey, remarking, "Sharmila Dhankar has a unique story. Her perseverance and success demonstrate that hard work can lead to becoming a world champion."

In the women's F57 shot put final, Dhankar achieved a season-best throw of 9.81 meters, securing the gold medal ahead of Ghana's Zinabu Issah, who won silver with a throw of 8.65 meters. Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi took home the bronze with a distance of 8.19 meters, while fellow Indian Shilpa finished fourth.

An Extraordinary Journey of Resilience

Dhankar's success is a testament to her resilience and determination. Born in Chitrauli village, Haryana, she contracted polio at the age of two, which affected one of her legs.

At 18, she married and faced years of abuse in her first marriage, enduring violence over dowry demands and for having two daughters. After being forced out at 26, she returned to her parents' home with her children, openly discussing her struggles with suicidal thoughts during that time.

Her life took a positive turn when she married Ajit Singh at 28, who introduced her to para-athletics after discovering the sport in a newspaper. He encouraged her to pursue it professionally.

In a significant show of support, her family sold their house in 2023 to fund her training and competition costs.

Despite starting athletics at 34, Dhankar quickly ascended to become India's national champion in the F57 seated shot put in 2021, culminating in her historic Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.

Her victory is one of the most inspiring narratives of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and highlights India's growing prowess in para-athletics on the global stage.