Sharmila Dhankar Triumphs at Commonwealth Games, Overcoming Adversity to Win Gold

Inspiring Victory at the Commonwealth Games

Sharmila Dhankar has etched her name in the history of the 2026 Commonwealth Games by winning the gold medal in the women's shot put F57 event. Her journey from surviving domestic violence to achieving this remarkable feat in Glasgow on Tuesday is truly inspiring.

The 40-year-old para-athlete achieved a season-best throw of 9.81 meters, securing her victory ahead of Ghana's Zinabu Issah, who took home the silver with a throw of 8.65 meters. Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi earned the bronze with a distance of 8.19 meters, while fellow Indian athlete Shilpa finished in fourth place, as reported by ESPN.

A Story of Resilience and Strength

Sharmila's gold medal marked India's second win at the Games, contributing to a total of eight medals for the country, which includes two gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. This victory is a significant milestone in her extraordinary life.

Hailing from Chitrauli village in Haryana, Sharmila contracted polio at the age of two, which affected her mobility. She was married at 18 and faced years of physical and emotional abuse in her first marriage, often being assaulted over dowry issues and for having two daughters.

At 26, after a particularly brutal incident where she was beaten and expelled from her home, she returned to her parents with her daughters. During this challenging time, she battled suicidal thoughts.

From Late Bloomer to National Champion

Her life took a positive turn when she married Ajit Singh at 28. He introduced her to para-athletics after reading about it in a newspaper and encouraged her to pursue the sport. The family's dedication to her aspirations was evident when they sold their house in 2023 to fund her training.

Despite starting her athletic career at 34, Sharmila quickly rose to prominence, becoming India's top F57 seated shot put athlete and clinching the national championship in 2021, culminating in her gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

India's Medal Count at the Commonwealth Games

Sharmila's victory added to India's successful performance in Scotland, bringing the total medal count to eight. The Indian medalists thus far include: