Sharmila Dhankar wins India’s first para‑athletics gold as nation secures six medals on Day 5

Sharmila Dhankar delivered a landmark result for India, claiming the country’s first-ever para-athletics gold as part of a six-medal haul on Day 5 of the Commonwealth Games. The Indian contingent also added several silver medals and a bronze, while boxers progressed to the quarterfinals amid mixed outcomes in other disciplines.

Competing on the fifth day of competition, India marked a historic moment in para-athletics with Dhankar’s victory. The overall medal tally for the day included silver medals for Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav, and a bronze for Bindyarani Devi. The performance mix reflected both important breakthroughs and a few underwhelming results in track and pool events.

Dhankar’s gold stands out as a first for India in para-athletics at the Games, and it provided a high point that anchored the nation’s six-medal return from the day. Alongside her achievement, the three silver medallists contributed crucial podium finishes that helped round out the team’s success. Bindyarani Devi’s bronze added further depth to India’s collection of medals on Day 5.

India’s boxing unit made progress as several fighters advanced into the quarterfinal stage, ensuring continued contention in the medal rounds. Those wins extended the boxing team’s schedule into the knockout phase and preserved hopes for additional hardware from the ring. The advancement also maintained India’s presence across multiple sports on the latter half of the competition day.

Not all disciplines produced positive outcomes; athletics and swimming yielded mixed fortunes for the Indian squad. Notably, Gurindervir Singh and Tejas Shirse both endured disappointing outings in their respective events, setbacks that contrasted with the day’s podium moments. These results highlighted areas where expectations were not met despite the broader medal successes.

The day combined a historic first, solid podium finishes and a handful of disappointments for India at the Commonwealth Games. While Sharmila Dhankar’s gold provided a milestone for para-athletics, the overall picture from Day 5 was one of both achievement and unfinished business for the Indian contingent.