When Sharmila Dhankar won India’s first ever Commonwealth Games para athletics gold medal, the moment marked the end of a long journey.
Before standing on the podium in Glasgow, the Haryana athlete had faced challenges in her personal life and health.
From contracting polio as a child to rebuilding her life after a difficult first marriage, Sharmila’s journey eventually led her to international para athletics.
Here is the story of how Sharmila Dhankar became a history-making athlete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Who Is Sharmila Dhankar?
Sharmila Dhankar is a para athlete from Haryana who competes in the women’s shot put F57 category.
The F57 classification is for athletes with lower limb impairments. She represents India in para athletics competitions.
She belongs to Chithroli village in Haryana’s Rewari district.
Sharmila contracted polio in her left leg when she was two years old after suffering from a high fever. The condition affected her leg movement, but she continued with her education and daily life before entering sports later.
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Sharmila Dhankar’s Personal Life And Challenges
Sharmila married at a young age.
According to reports, her first marriage became a difficult period of her life. She said she faced physical abuse linked to dowry demands and later faced pressure after giving birth to daughters.
She eventually left her first marriage and returned to her parents with her two daughters.
Her family supported her during this phase as she started rebuilding her life.
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How Did Sharmila Dhankar Start Her Sports Journey?
Unlike many athletes who begin training during childhood, Sharmila entered competitive sports later in life.
She started her para athletics journey around the age of 34.
Her second husband, Ajit Singh, encouraged her to explore sports and supported her training. He introduced her to para athletics and helped her connect with coach Tek Chand.
Under Tek Chand’s guidance, Sharmila trained at Tula Ram Stadium in Rewari and developed her skills in shot put.
Her performances improved, and she went on to compete at national and international levels.
From Commonwealth Games Debut To Historic Gold
Sharmila represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she finished fourth in the women’s shot put F57 event.
She also competed at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Her biggest achievement came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Competing in the women’s shot put F57 event, Sharmila produced a season-best throw of 9.81 metres to win gold.
The victory made her India’s first Commonwealth Games para athletics gold medallist.
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Why Is Sharmila Dhankar’s CWG 2026 Gold Important?
Sharmila’s victory became a landmark moment for Indian para athletics.
Her gold medal added to India’s growing achievements in para sports at international competitions.
The women’s shot put F57 event also saw India’s Shilpa K Shyla win bronze after a review changed the final standings.
The result gave India two medals in the same para athletics event at the Commonwealth Games.
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What Is Sharmila Dhankar Doing Now?
After her Commonwealth Games victory, Sharmila continues to train in para athletics.
She has expressed her aim to compete at future international events, including the Asian Games and Paralympic Games.
Her journey from overcoming personal challenges to winning a historic Commonwealth Games gold medal has made her one of India’s notable para athletes.
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TL;DR | News At Glance
Who is Sharmila Dhankar?
Sharmila Dhankar is a Haryana-based para athlete who won India’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal in para athletics.
What challenges did she face?
She contracted polio as a child and faced difficulties during her first marriage.
When did she start para athletics?
She started her para athletics journey around the age of 34.
Who supported her sports career?
Her second husband Ajit Singh encouraged her sporting journey, while coach Tek Chand trained her.
What did Sharmila Dhankar win at CWG 2026?
She won gold in the women’s shot put F57 event with a 9.81 metre throw.
What is Sharmila Dhankar doing now?
She continues training and aims to compete in future international competitions.
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