India creates history in para-athletics at Commonwealth Games 2026
Two para athletes secured a podium finish at the 23rd Commonwealth Games
India created para athletics history at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday, July 27.
Sharmila Dhankar etched her name in history by becoming the country’s first-ever CWG para-athletics gold medallist, winning the women’s shot put F57 title at the Glasgow Games. She clinched gold by registering a season-best throw of 9.81m.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s updated schedule for today Day 5 (July 28)
The F57 classification features para-athletes with lower limb impairments, limb deficiencies or reduced muscle power.
It was a historic medal for India, as it ended the country’s 20-year wait for a para athletics medal at the CWG. The last medal came at the Melbourne 2006 Games, when Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan claimed bronze in the men’s seated discus throw event.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG) Day 5 Live Updates
India secure historic double podium
India celebrated another milestone in the same event on Monday, as Shilpa Shyla secured a dramatic podium finish with a bronze medal in women’s shot put F57.
She had initially finished fourth but launched a successful review that led to Nigerian athlete Eucharia Iyiazi’s only valid throw of 8.19m being ruled a foul. As a result, the Indian won a bronze medal.
This resulted in India gaining its first-ever double podium finish in a para athletics event at the Commonwealth Games.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s medal tally after Day 4, 27th July
PM Modi, Mandaviya hail Dhankar’s medal win
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to hail Sharmila Dhankar’s achievement.
“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,” Modi wrote on X.
“This remarkable performance ends a two-decade-long wait for para-athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games. My best wishes for the endeavours ahead.”
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also heaped praise on the landmark performance from Dhankar.
“HISTORIC GOLD IN GLASGOW! Sharmila wins Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57 & creates history at CWG 2026,” he wrote on X. “She becomes India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in Para Athletics. Your indomitable spirit has made the entire nation proud on the global stage.”
Where and when will Commonwealth Games 2026 take place?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
What historic achievement did India record in para athletics at CWG 2026?
India created history as Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the women’s shot put F57 event, becoming the country’s first‑ever CWG para‑athletics gold medallist, while Shilpa Shyla clinched bronze in the same event.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.