The moment the shot left Sharmila Dhankar’s hands on Friday evening in Birmingham, it became clear she had set a new benchmark. With a throw of 9.81 metres in the women’s F57 shot put final, the Indian para-athlete captured gold at the Commonwealth Games 2026, outpacing the competition by more than a metre. This season-best distance left the crowd in awe and marked a defining moment in Dhankar’s career.
Hailing from Odisha, Dhankar described her victory as historic and special, crediting the Indian government for its consistent support. Her win was a highlight of what turned out to be an unprecedentedly successful campaign for Indian para-athletes at the Games, which saw them bag seven medals, including three golds. In the same event, Ghana’s Zinabu Issah came in second with 8.65m, Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi earned bronze with 8.19m, and fellow Indian Shilpa finished fourth.
Cash awards and a warm welcome
Athletes returning to India from the Commonwealth Games 2026 were met with a standing ovation at the airport. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya personally greeted the medalists, a gesture that highlighted the government’s growing commitment to recognizing their achievements. Gold medalists received Rs 30 lakh as cash awards, silver winners got Rs 20 lakh, and bronze medalists were given Rs 10 lakh. This timely recognition marked a major shift from past delays, when athletes often had to wait years before receiving their rewards.
Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India, praised the promptness of the cash awards. He recalled a conversation with the Prime Minister during his own 2014 Paralympic victory, when he highlighted the long waits athletes faced before being recognized. “Today, seeing athletes return with a cheque in their hands is a dream come true,” Jhajharia said. “The government’s swift action shows real progress and a deep appreciation for their sacrifices.”
Looking ahead to Asian Games and Paralympics
Dhankar is already setting her sights on the Asian Games in Japan later this year. “I hope to win another gold,” she said. Her ultimate ambition is to have a long and impactful Paralympic career, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games gold is just the beginning. Dhankar expressed her desire to compete for India for many years, bringing glory and pride to the nation with every success.
The performances of Indian para-athletes at the Commonwealth Games 2026 were remarkable. They accounted for six of the 16 medals India won in athletics, with Jhandu Kumar also earning a bronze in men’s heavyweight para-powerlifting. This total of seven medals marked the best-ever performance for Indian para-athletes at the Games. Overall, India finished in fourth place with a total of 39 medals, a testament to the country’s rising prominence in international para-sports.
Payal Kanodia, Chairperson of the Paralympic Committee of India, praised the country’s para-athletes for their outstanding medal achievements at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, emphasizing their right to recognition for bringing honour to India. She stated that acknowledging these athletes would enhance their confidence, inspire future accomplishments, and raise the profile of Indian Paralympians internationally, particularly with India preparing to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. Kanodia said: “It is a moment of immense pride for India that our para-athletes have won medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It is important to appreciate and felicitate our Paralympians to motivate them to achieve even greater success and win more medals for the country in the future, as such recognition boosts their confidence and morale.” She added: “With India set to host the Commonwealth Games, we must continue to highlight our Paralympians on global platforms and celebrate their achievements. This ceremony was organised with the aim of encouraging our athletes and recognising their contributions. As a tribute, we have also planted hundreds of trees in the names of our Paralympians.”
Shot putter Soman Rana expressed that his Commonwealth Games gold medal win has strengthened his confidence but that his focus is already on the upcoming Asian Games as he pursues a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Rana made history by winning India’s first-ever gold in the men’s F57 shot put with a best throw of 13.40m in Glasgow. He stated: “My immediate focus is on the Asian Games. I won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, and now that the Commonwealth Games are over, I have started preparing for the next challenge. I have already won medals at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, and my ultimate goal is to win a medal at the 2028 Olympics. That remains my main focus.”
Fellow shot putter Shubham Juyal secured silver with a 13.28m throw, helping India achieve its first-ever one-two finish in this event at the Commonwealth Games. Juyal credited the PCI’s meticulous planning and a 40-day training camp in Bengaluru for the overall success of the Indian para-athletics team. He commented: “There are several important events ahead, including the Paralympic Games and the World Championships next year, but my ultimate focus is the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. The immediate target is the World Championships, where I want to perform well. Since the World Championships provide an opportunity to earn Paralympic quotas, it is a very important event for me at this stage.” Juyal added: “The Paralympic Committee of India planned everything in a very organised manner from selecting athletes to deciding the strategy and execution. Before the Commonwealth Games, we also had a 40-day camp in Bengaluru, which helped us prepare thoroughly. By the time we reached the Games, our focus was only on executing the plans, and that preparation played a major role in helping us win medals.”
India concluded its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with a total of 39 medals – 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze – finishing fourth overall. This matched India’s fourth-place finish at Birmingham 2022, despite competing with a significantly reduced sports programme. Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Dhankar’s journey is a reflection of her country’s progress in supporting athletes with disabilities. As she prepares for future competitions, her Commonwealth Games 2026 gold will serve as a powerful foundation in her pursuit of excellence. With the Asian Games and the Paralympics on the horizon, the future looks bright for Indian para-sports and its champions.