Who is Sharmila Dhankar? All you need to know about India’s first para-athletics gold medallist at CWG 2026
Sharmila Dhankar made history in Glasgow
India’s Sharmila Dhankar became the country’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist, clinching the top prize in the women’s shot put F57 event at the Glasgow Games on July 27.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s medal tally after Day 4, 27th July
The 40-year-old Haryana native competed in the F57 classification, which includes athletes with lower limb impairments, deficiencies, or reduced muscle power. She registered a season-best throw of 9.81m on Monday.
She became the first Indian para-athlete to win a CWG medal in two decades, following Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan’s bronze in the men’s seated discus throw event in 2006. However, behind her international success is a truly inspiring story of her overcoming poverty and an abusive marriage to shine on the biggest stage.
Read More: Sharmila Dhankar wins India’s first-ever gold medal in para-athletics at Commonwealth Games
Sharmila Dhankar’s career so far
Born in Chhithroli village in Haryana, Dhankar suffered an early setback in life after contracting polio at the age of two. She grew up in an impoverished family with a farmer father and a visually impaired mother.
Suffering from financial troubles, she was married off at 19. However, the marriage was incredibly physically abusive. After being kicked out by her first husband, she returned home with her two daughters, Anju (15) and Lakshmi (13).
Her life changed when she married again. Her husband, Ajit Singh, a businessman from Rewari, introduced Dhankar to para sports. She started her athletics career only at the age of 34, training under coaches Tek Chand and Devendra.
She flourished in para athletics, winning a gold medal and setting a national record at her Para National Championships debut in 2021. She took part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth. She repeated that result at the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou.
In 2023, her family was forced to sell their house in Rewari to fund Dhankar’s sporting career, moving to rented accommodations. However, she continued to persevere, also providing her daughters with a future in sports. Anju currently competes in the U-16 javelin throw, while Lakshmi is a U-14 long jumper.
Dhankar continued to excel internationally, finishing fifth at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi. She is also an accomplished discus thrower, winning gold in both shot put and discus at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship 2026 in Dubai.
Now, Dhankar has added a maiden CWG medal to her cabinet, ending India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics gold in the tournament. Alongside her, Shilpa Shyla secured a bronze in the women’s shot put F57 event.
In athletics, Sarvesh Kushare claimed silver in the men’s high jump event. Valluri Ajaya Babu won silver in the men’s 79 kg weightlifting event. Gyaneshwari Devi clinched silver in the women’s 53 kg weightlifting event. Bindyarani Devi bagged bronze in the women’s 58 kg weightlifting event.
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 did Sharmila Dhankar win at CWG 2026?
She registered a season‑best throw of 9.81m, clinching gold in the women’s shot put F57 event at the Glasgow Games.
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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.