Sharmila Dhankhar Shines with Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement

Sharmila Dhankhar, a para-athlete hailing from Chhitroli village in Haryana's Mahendragarh district, has made her state proud by clinching a gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.

The village was filled with excitement as locals celebrated her victory with firecrackers, while elders shared sweets, particularly laddoos, to commemorate Sharmila's success in the shot put event.

“This is the most joyous moment of my life. My happiness has overshadowed all my past troubles,” expressed Santosh Devi, Sharmila’s visually impaired mother, who had sold their family land to support her daughter's passion for sports despite her challenges.

Sharmila has faced significant hardships, including the loss of her father. Her brother, Naveen, drives an auto-rickshaw to support the family. After enduring years of physical and emotional abuse in her first marriage, she gave birth to two daughters before separating from her husband. She later found support in her second husband, Ajit Singh, who encouraged her athletic pursuits.

Residents of Chhitroli, including Samunder, Dalbir, and Amit Suhag, expressed their pride in Sharmila's accomplishments and eagerly await her return, hoping she will one day achieve Olympic gold.

“We are all rooting for her Olympic success,” they added.