Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist Sharmila Dhankar described her maiden CWG title as a “historic achievement” and said her next target is to win gold at the Asian Games before building a successful Paralympic career.
Dhankar clinched the women’s F57 shot put gold with a season-best throw of 9.81 metres, finishing ahead of Ghana’s Zinabu Issah (8.65m) and Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi (8.19m). Fellow Indian Shilpa narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth.
“I feel incredibly proud and happy to have won this gold medal. It is a historic achievement. It is encouraging to see the government recognising and supporting athletes by honouring us and rewarding our achievements. This motivates us to work even harder,” Dhankar told ANI.
She said she hopes to represent India for many years and has already shifted her focus to the Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, before pursuing her long-term dream of a successful Paralympic career.
Dhankar was among the athletes felicitated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya after India’s contingent returned from the Commonwealth Games. Gold medallists received cash awards of Rs 30 lakh, while silver and bronze winners were presented Rs 20 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia welcomed the timely recognition for medal winners, recalling that athletes earlier had to wait years to receive cash rewards.
“I remember when I won a medal at the Paralympics in 2014, athletes often had to wait four to five years to receive cash awards. Today, seeing athletes being honoured and receiving their rewards on time, I feel deeply grateful,” Jhajharia told ANI.
India’s para-athletes delivered their best-ever Commonwealth Games campaign, winning seven medals, including three golds. Six of India’s 16 athletics medals came from para-athletes, while Jhandu Kumar added a bronze in the men’s heavyweight para-powerlifting event.
India finished fourth in the overall medal standings at the Commonwealth Games 2026 with a total of 39 medals.
(ANI)
