Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
India’s Sharmila Dhankhar clinched the gold medal in the women’s para shot put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games on Monday, delivering a season-best throw of 9.81 metres.
In the same event, India’s Shilpa K. Shayla won the bronze medal, taking India’s medal tally to 10 medals and helping the country move to eighth place in the standings.
This was India’s second gold medal of the Games. The first came on Sunday when Mirabai Chanu won gold in the women’s 48kg weightlifting category.
The F57 category is meant for para athletes whose lower limbs are affected or who have reduced muscle strength, and the event is contested in a seated position.
A Journey of Extraordinary Struggle
Sharmila Dhankhar, a resident of Chitrauli village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana, was affected by polio at the age of two, which left one of her legs impaired. Her father was a small farmer, while her mother is visually impaired, and the family could not afford proper medical treatment.
Her path to para athletics was far from easy. At the age of 34, she began training in the F57 seated shot put event under coaches Tekchand and Devender. Financial hardship was so severe that in 2023, she reportedly sold her house to fund her training, after which the family moved into a rented accommodation. Despite the difficulties, she continued practicing relentlessly.
Dhankhar also faced major personal challenges. She was allegedly abandoned by her first husband at the age of 26 and returned to her parents’ home with her two daughters. At 28, she married Ajit, who encouraged her to pursue para athletics after reading about para athletes in a newspaper and supported her throughout her journey.
Shilpa’s Bronze Came After Dramatic Review
Shilpa K. Shayla produced a personal-best throw of 7.26 metres in the women’s F57 shot put final. Initially, she was placed fourth, while Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi was awarded the bronze medal.
Following an official protest by the Indian contingent, officials reviewed the Nigerian athlete’s attempts and ruled her only valid throw a foul. The revised results promoted Shilpa from fourth to third place, handing her the bronze medal.
The emotional Indian athlete was seen celebrating with Sharmila Dhankhar, with tears of joy after the medal was confirmed. However, Nigeria may still file an official appeal, and the medal standings could change if the protest is upheld.
Silver and Bronze in Other Events
India also enjoyed success in several other events:
Sarvesh Kushare won silver in the men’s high jump final with a leap of 2.25 metres.
Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford took gold on countback, while England’s Kimani Jack claimed bronze with 2.20 metres.
Ajay Babu secured silver in the men’s 79kg weightlifting category.
Bindyarani Devi won bronze in the women’s 58kg category.
Gyaneshwari Yadav earned silver in the women’s 53kg category.
Australia Continues to Lead
Australia remained at the top of the Commonwealth Games medal table with 59 medals, including 26 gold medals, while India’s strong performances in para athletics and weightlifting continued to boost its campaign.
Sharmila Dhankhar’s remarkable rise from poverty and personal hardship to Commonwealth Games gold has emerged as one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament.
