Daijiworld Media Network - Glasgow
Glasgow, Jul 28: Sharmila Dhankar created history by becoming the first Indian to win a para athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games after clinching the women's shot put F57 title in Glasgow on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old produced a season-best throw of 9.81 metres to secure the gold medal, adding India's second gold of the Games and taking the country's overall medal tally to 10, comprising two gold, five silver and three bronze medals at the time of her victory.
Ghana's Zinabu Issah claimed the silver medal with a throw of 8.65 metres, while Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi took bronze with an effort of 8.19 metres. India's Shilpa finished fourth, narrowly missing a podium finish.
Dhankar's triumph marked the culmination of an inspiring journey marked by resilience and determination.
Born in Chitrauli village of Haryana, she contracted polio at the age of two, leaving one of her legs permanently affected. Her personal life was equally challenging. Married at 18, she endured years of physical and emotional abuse, including alleged violence over dowry demands and for giving birth to two daughters.
At the age of 26, following another assault, she left her marital home with her daughters and returned to her parents. Dhankar has previously spoken about struggling with suicidal thoughts during that difficult period.
Her life changed after marrying Ajit Singh at the age of 28. It was Singh who encouraged her to take up para athletics after reading about the sport in a newspaper. Believing in her potential, he motivated her to pursue the sport professionally.
In 2023, her family sold their house to support her training and participation in competitions, enabling her to continue competing at the highest level.
Despite beginning competitive athletics only at the age of 34, Dhankar rapidly rose through the ranks. She won the national F57 seated shot put title in 2021 and steadily built an impressive international career before achieving her biggest success with Commonwealth Games gold.
Dhankar's victory further strengthened India's campaign in Glasgow.
India's medal winners so far are Mirabai Chanu (gold, weightlifting), Sharmila Dhankar (gold, women's shot put F57), Rishikanta Singh (silver, weightlifting), Muthupandi Raja (silver, weightlifting), Gyaneshwari Yadav (silver, weightlifting), Sarvesh Kushare (silver, high jump), Valluri Ajaya Babu (silver, weightlifting), Bindyarani Devi (bronze, weightlifting), Jhandu Kumar (bronze, para powerlifting), and Shilpa K Shyla (bronze, women's shot put F57).