Sharmila Dhankar: From Domestic Abuse to Commonwealth Gold Medalist

A Journey of Resilience and Triumph

Sharmila Dhankar's life took a dramatic turn when her husband left her with their infant daughter, just 37 days old. This marked the end of a long period of suffering, as she had endured years of abuse while hoping for a change.

Now, over a decade later, the 40-year-old athlete proudly stood on the podium at the Commonwealth Games, adorned with a gold medal after clinching the women’s F57 seated shot put title. Her victory symbolizes not only her athletic prowess but also her incredible resilience.

Reflecting on her past, Sharmila recounted her experiences with her alcoholic first husband, who subjected her to violence for having two daughters. She revealed that even her elder daughter faced domestic abuse.

Despite the ongoing violence, Sharmila held onto hope for improvement, which never materialized. "My husband was unemployed and sold off our belongings. He would hit me for giving birth to daughters and even assaulted my elder child," she recounted.

The situation escalated after the birth of her second daughter. "After my second child was born, he began to hit my elder daughter. When my youngest was just 37 days old, he threw us out of the house, leading my family to help me get a divorce," she shared.

With no other options, Sharmila returned to her parents' home with her daughters, embarking on a journey to rebuild her life over the next six years.

Sharmila's hardships began long before her marriage; she contracted polio at the age of two, which left her right leg impaired. "I got polio after receiving a fever injection, and I often wonder if it was due to medical negligence," she said.

Growing up in a financially strained household, her blind mother and older father ensured that education was a priority despite their challenges. "We faced many financial difficulties, but my parents insisted we go to school. I was always at the top of my class from first to tenth grade," she recalled with pride.

However, financial constraints forced her into an early marriage. "Due to money issues, I was married young," she explained.

Her second marriage proved to be a pivotal moment in her life. "My second husband encouraged me to pursue sports and invested everything he had in my athletic journey," she said.

When resources fell short, her mother sold her land to support Sharmila's ambitions. Coach Tek Chand, a bronze medalist at the 2018 Asian Para Games, recognized her talent and guided her in the shot put event.

"Initially, I never believed I could win," Sharmila admitted, but her confidence grew with each competition. After finishing fourth at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, she secured gold at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championships and ultimately reached the top of the podium in Glasgow.

This victory represented more than just a medal; it was a testament to the support she received during her darkest times.

Her two daughters, aged 15 and 12, are now pursuing their own athletic dreams. "The older one is a javelin thrower, and the younger one is a long jumper. They have told me that at the next Commonwealth Games in India, we will all compete for our country and win medals together," she said with hope.