Sharmila Dhankar etched her name into Indian sporting history after winning the women’s F57 shot put gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Her winning effort of 9.81m, which also marked her season’s best, secured India’s first-ever gold medal in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games.

The achievement also brought an end to India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the event. The country’s previous podium finish in the discipline came in 2006, when Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan claimed silver in the men’s seated discus throw.

Dhankar’s victory stands as another significant milestone for Indian para-athletics on the international stage.

PM Narendra Modi hails Sharmila’s landmark achievement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Dhankar’s memorable performance and congratulated her through a post on X shortly after her victory.

Recognising the significance of the result, the Prime Minister highlighted both her season-best effort and the historic nature of the gold medal.

“History has been created in Glasgow! Congratulations to Sharmila for a very special Gold in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event and also for a season-best throw. This remarkable performance ends a two decade long wait for a Para Athletics Gold at the Commonwealth Games. My best wishes for the endeavours ahead. #CWG2026,” Modi wrote on X.

The message celebrated a breakthrough moment for Indian para-athletics while extending best wishes for her future competitions.

President Droupadi Murmu also extends congratulations

President Droupadi Murmu also applauded Dhankar’s accomplishment with a congratulatory message on social media.She described the gold medal as a landmark achievement for Indian sport and expressed confidence that the success would motivate aspiring athletes across the country.

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“Heartiest congratulations to Sharmila Dhankar on winning the Gold Medal in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. By becoming India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in Para Athletics, you have achieved a landmark feat. Your achievement will inspire young athletes to excel in their chosen fields. I wish you many more laurels in the years to come,” President Murmu shared.

Recognition from the country’s highest offices underscored the importance of Dhankar’s achievement to Indian para sports.

India’s athletics medal tally continues to grow

India enjoyed another successful outing in athletics as Sarvesh Kushare added a silver medal in the men’s high jump. The national record holder cleared 2.25m to produce the best-ever Commonwealth Games finish by an Indian male high jumper. However, he narrowly missed the gold medal on countback after Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford registered the same height with fewer failed attempts.

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Kushare’s silver added another historic chapter to India’s athletics campaign in Glasgow and strengthened the country’s medal tally.

Historic day for Indian athletics in Glasgow

Sharmila Dhankar’s gold and Sarvesh Kushare’s silver ensured another memorable day for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026.

Dhankar’s victory not only delivered the country’s maiden Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold but also ended a medal drought in the discipline that had lasted two decades. Her season-best throw of 9.81m will remain one of India’s standout moments of the Games.

Alongside Kushare’s record-breaking silver in the men’s high jump, India’s athletes continued to make history in Glasgow with performances that highlighted the country’s growing presence across multiple athletics events.

FAQs

Why is Sharmila Dhankar’s Commonwealth Games gold historic?

Sharmila Dhankar became India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para-athletics by winning the women’s F57 shot put event.

What did PM Narendra Modi say about Sharmila Dhankar’s victory?

PM Modi praised her historic achievement, congratulated her on the season-best throw, and said her gold ended India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games.