Sharmila Dhankar wins women's F57 shot put gold in Glasgow, eyes Asian Games and Olympics

India's Sharmila Dhankar won the women's shot put F57 gold at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on August 8, 2026, producing a season-best throw of 9.81 metres. The result was reported as one of the more inspiring stories of the Games.

The 40-year-old's journey to the podium followed a personal history that included surviving domestic violence, and her triumph in Glasgow made her India's first-ever para-athletics gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games. The victory concluded a season in which Dhankar produced her best mark when it mattered.

Ghana's Zinabu Issah took silver with a best of 8.65m, while Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi claimed bronze with 8.19m; fellow Indian Shilpa finished fourth in the event.

Speaking to ANI, Dhankar said, "I am very happy with the gold medal. I give credit to my mother. And also to our government. They've supported a lot."

Reflecting on the historic nature of the result, she added: "I feel very happy. I didn't know that this gold medal of mine would become the first medal in the Commonwealth Games. I didn't know that. I thought someone else might have won it before. But when I found out that this is the first gold, I was very happy. When God made me a conductor, he made me the first female conductor in Haryana. Even when I brought the medal, I was the first one."

On her return home, Dhankar said she surprised children by arriving unannounced to show them the medals: "I'm happy to be home and meet the kids. The kids saw the medals. I came without telling them, didn't tell anyone, I just showed up. I came unannounced, so they got a surprise and became even happier," she said. "I feel very good. I hadn't even thought that there would be a gold in the Commonwealth, and so much would happen. I feel very happy. The love our country has given, I didn't know that so much love is received. So it's a very good feeling," she added.

On her immediate plans, Dhankar told ANI: "This Commonwealth gold is just a trailer. The movie is yet to come. The next target is the Asian Games. After that, I'll set my target straight for the Olympics, for a good gold. I am very happy with the gold medal. I give credit to my mother. And also to our government. They've supported a lot."