Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Sharmila Dhankar Wins Historic Para-Athletics Gold
Sharmila Dhankar is a 40-year-old para-athlete from India who won the gold medal in the women's shot put F57 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Her journey is incredibly inspiring because she had to overcome many challenges.
As a child, she contracted polio and later faced an abusive marriage.
Despite these difficulties, she found the strength to pursue her dreams.
She started her athletic career in her mid-30s, which is quite late for most athletes.
However, she quickly became one of India's top para shot putters.
Her victory in Glasgow was a historic moment for India, as she became the first Indian to win a para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Her story shows that with determination, even the toughest challenges can be turned into great achievements.
Sharmila Dhankar won the women's shot put F57 gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
She is the first Indian to win a para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Dhankar contracted polio as a child and faced an abusive marriage before pursuing her athletic dreams.
She began her athletic career in her mid-30s and quickly became one of India's top para shot putters.
Her victory strengthened India's growing reputation in para sports on the global stage.
- Who
- Sharmila Dhankar
- What
- Won the women's shot put F57 gold medal at the Commonwealth Games
- When
- 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Where
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Why
- Her journey is a testament to resilience and determination, overcoming personal hardships and late start in sports.
Personal Struggles
Athletic Triumph
Early Life Challenges
Personal Struggles
Sharmila Dhankar faced significant hardships, including contracting polio as a child and enduring an abusive marriage.
Athletic Triumph
Despite these challenges, she found the strength to pursue her athletic dreams and achieve success.
Late Start in Sports
Personal Struggles
Dhankar began her athletic career in her mid-30s, which is relatively late compared to most athletes.
Athletic Triumph
Her late start did not hinder her progress; she quickly rose to become one of India's top para shot putters.
- Name
- Sharmila Dhankar
- Age
- 40
- Event
- Women's Shot Put F57
- Medal
- Gold
- Location
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Significance
- First Indian to win a para-athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games
- Throw Distance
- 9.81 metres
- Coach
- Tek Chand
Sources
Historic gold for Sharmila
CWG 2026: Who Is Sharmila Dhankar? From Polio Survivor To India's Historic Para-Athletics Gold Medallist
From trauma to gold, the story of Sharmila’s historic para-athletics triumph
Yuvraj Singh Congratulates Sharmila Dhankar After Historic Commonwealth Games Gold In Shot Put F57
Thrown out of her home, para-athlete Sharmila rewrote life with a historic CWG gold
