Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Sharmila Dhankar Wins Historic Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57
Sharmila Dhankar, a para athlete from India, won a gold medal in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
She threw the shot put 9.81 metres, which was the best throw of her season.
This is a big deal because it’s the first time an Indian has won gold in Para Athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
Sharmila had to overcome many personal challenges, including growing up poor, enduring a difficult first marriage, and facing domestic violence.
She sold her family home to support her sporting career.
Her hard work paid off, and she now has a gold medal.
Her daughters, who are also athletes, are very proud of her.
This win is a big moment for India and shows how far their para athletics program has come.
Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the Women’s Shot Put F57 at the Commonwealth Games 2026 with a season-best throw of 9.81 metres.
This is the first gold medal for India in Para Athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
Sharmila overcame significant personal and financial challenges, including poverty, a difficult first marriage, and domestic violence, to achieve this victory.
She previously set a national record of 9.52m at the National Para Athletics Championships.
Her daughters, Anju and Lakshmi, are her biggest motivation and also budding athletes.
- Who
- Sharmila Dhankar
- What
- Won gold in Women’s Shot Put F57 at the Commonwealth Games 2026
- When
- Monday evening
- Where
- Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
- Why
- Delivered a season-best throw of 9.81 metres
Personal Struggles
Athletic Success
Background
Personal Struggles
Sharmila Dhankar faced significant personal and financial challenges, including poverty, a difficult first marriage, and domestic violence.
Athletic Success
Despite her struggles, she dedicated herself to para sports and achieved significant success, including winning gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Motivation
Personal Struggles
Her personal struggles motivated her to provide better opportunities for her daughters.
Athletic Success
Her athletic achievements serve as an inspiration to her daughters and others, showcasing the power of perseverance and determination.
- Athlete
- Sharmila Dhankar
- Event
- Women’s Shot Put F57
- Throw Distance
- 9.81 metres
- Location
- Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
- Significance
- First Indian gold in Para Athletics at the Commonwealth Games
- Previous Best
- Fourth place at the previous Commonwealth Games
- Classification
- F57 (seated athletes with limb impairments or reduced muscle power)
- Age
- 40 years old
Sources
Sharmila Dhankar scripts history with India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para athletics gold; Shilpa Shyla adds bronze
Sharmila Dhankar Wins India's First Para Athletics Gold; Shilpa Shyla Gets Bronze Amidst Controversy
Para Athletes Sharmila Dhankar Clinches Historic Gold, Shilpa Shyla Wins Bronze At CWG 2026
Sharmila Dhankar wins gold, Shilpa Shyla bronze in para shot put at CWG 2026
Sharmila Dhankar becomes India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist
Sharmila Dhankar Powers India To 8 Medals With F57 Shot Put Gold In Glasgow
India's Sharmila Dhankar Secures Shot Put Gold
Sharmila Dhankar clinches India”s para athletics gold in CWG
