Sharmila Dhankar wins India’s first Commonwealth Games para athletics gold medal

In the Commonwealth Games, India’s Para Shot Putter Sharmila Dhankar won the gold medal in the women’s shot put F57 event, with a season-best effort of 9.81m in Glasgow. Sharmila also became India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist. Her triumph ended India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Games.

Indian High Jumper Sarvesh Kushare also clinched a silver medal in the men’s high jump event at the Scotstoun Stadium. Competing in the final, Kushare cleared 2.25m before three unsuccessful attempts at 2.28m saw him settle for silver behind Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford, who claimed gold. 

Moreover, weightlifters Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav clinched a silver each, as India enjoyed another productive day at the Games. Valluri Babu narrowly missed the gold in the men’s 79kg competition after finishing just 1kg behind Malaysia’s Muhammad Erry Hidayat. Earlier in the day, Gyaneshwari opened India’s account on the second day of competition by claiming silver in the women’s 53kg event on her CWG debut.

Shot Putter Shilpa Shyla also secured a dramatic bronze medal in the women’s shot put F57 event after a successful post-match protest and review stripped Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi of her valid mark.

With this, India’s total medal count stands at 10 including 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Indian Boxer Lovlina Borgohain is already assured of a medal at Glasgow 2026 after receiving a quarter-final bye in the women’s 75kg event.