Sharmila Dhankar, once a victim of domestic violence, now holds a CWG bronze

Sharmila Dhankar’s long journey from surviving domestic abuse to a Commonwealth Games medal reached its defining moment on Tuesday when she won bronze in the women’s F57 shot put in Glasgow. The 40-year-old native of Haryana, whose left leg was affected by polio at the age of two, produced a season’s best throw of 9.81m to create a landmark achievement for Indian para athletics.

The medal was the biggest achievement of Dhankar’s career and ended India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Speaking about her journey before leaving for Glasgow, the Indian para-athlete said she hoped her story would encourage other women facing abuse to believe life can change.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 5: The best

“I want women to find the strength to fight domestic violence. If I win a medal, my story might inspire them to believe that it’s never over,” Sharmila told Sportstar.

“I had never played any sport. And with my handicap, I couldn’t even run. I was also 34 years old. I wanted to start at an age when everyone else was finishing their careers. Despite all this, my husband was very insistent that we explore the idea,” she told Sportstar earlier, recalling how her husband Ajit Singh encouraged her to take up para athletics.

Breaking barriers. Making history.

A golden first for Indian Para Athletics.

Sharmila Dhankar makes history by becoming the first ever Commonwealth Games gold medalist in Para Athletics with a throw of 9.81m.

Watch Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 LIVE and pic.twitter.com/32yp6fXm48— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 27, 2026

Sharmila was born in Chhithroli village in Haryana and her left leg was affected by polio when she was just two years old. She was married at a young age and endured years of domestic violence before returning to her family with her two children. Her life changed after she remarried Ajit Singh, who introduced her to para-athletics in 2020 under coach Tek Chand. Within a year, she became the national champion and steadily established herself among India’s leading F57 throwers, winning gold at this year’s Fazza International Para Athletics Championship before coming to Glasgow.

MEDAL YEARS IN THE MAKING

Dhankar narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2022 British Commonwealth Games, where she finished fourth despite setting a national record. She also endured frustrating campaigns at the Asian Para Games and World Para Athletics Championships, making Glasgow her biggest opportunity yet.

She grabbed him with both hands. All six of her throws cleared the 9m mark, with her third-round performance of 9.81m good enough for the bronze medal. It was her best performance of the season and a reward for years of perseverance after coming to the sport later than almost every athlete she competes with.

STORY | CWG: Sharmila wins historic gold in para athletics as India shines with many medals

Sharmila Dhankar scripted history by becoming India’s first ever Para Athletics Commonwealth Games gold medalist while high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and weightlifter Valluri Ajaya pic.twitter.com/U9kMZhsR7R— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 28, 2026

Before the Games, Dhankar spoke of wanting the medal to secure a job in the civil service and improve her family’s financial situation after they made sacrifices to support her sports career. Tuesday’s result brought her one step closer to that dream.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Haryana para-athlete on her achievement as her journey resonated far beyond the medals. Dhankar rewrote her story from surviving polio and an abusive marriage to becoming a Commonwealth Games medalist after starting her sporting career at the age of 34.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

28 Jul 2026 14:40 IST