PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu applaud Sharmila Dhankar after India's first CWG para-athletics gold

The PM shared a congratulatory message on X, describing Dhankar's achievement as a historic moment for Indian sport and wishing her success in the future.

Updated on: Jul 28, 2026, 13:17:30 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sharmila Dhankar after the Indian para athlete created history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games by becoming the country's first-ever gold medallist in para-athletics. Sharmila claimed the women's F57 shot put title with a season-best throw of 9.81m on Monday night, producing a landmark performance. Her victory also ended India's 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Sharmila Dhankar clinched gold for India at CWG 2026. (Screengrab - SonyLiv)

The nation's previous medal in the discipline came at the 2006 edition, when Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan won silver in the men's seated discus throw. Sharmila's historic triumph marked a major milestone for Indian para-athletics on the Commonwealth Games stage.

Prime Modi hailed Dhankar's historic Commonwealth Games triumph, applauding the para shot putter for delivering a season-best throw and ending India's 20-year wait for a para-athletics gold at the event. The Prime Minister shared a congratulatory message on X, describing the achievement as a historic moment for Indian sport and wishing her success in the future.

"History has been created in Glasgow! Congratulations to Sharmila for a very special Gold in the Women's Shot Put F57 event and also for a season-best throw. This remarkable performance ends a two decade long wait for a Para Athletics Gold at the Commonwealth Games. My best wishes for the endeavours ahead. #CWG2026," PM Modi wrote on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also posted a note lauding Dhankar for his extraordinary achievement at CWG 2026

"Heartiest congratulations to Sharmila Dhankar on winning the Gold Medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. By becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in Para Athletics, you have achieved a landmark feat. Your achievement will inspire young athletes to excel in their chosen fields. I wish you many more laurels in the years to come," the post read.

Meanwhile, India added another medal in athletics as national record holder Sarvesh Kushare created history by becoming the country's first-ever Commonwealth Games silver medallist in the men's high jump. Kushare cleared 2.25m but narrowly missed out on gold on countback to Jamaica's Romaine Beckford, who registered the same height with a cleaner series.

India's medals after Day 5

At the end of Day 5, India had climbed to a tally of 10 medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, comprising two gold, five silver and three bronze medals. The country's gold medallists were Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) and Sharmila Dhankar (women's shot put F57). The silver medals came through Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, Gyaneshwari Yadav and Valluri Ajaya Babu (all weightlifting), along with Sarvesh Kushare in the men's high jump. India's bronze medallists so far were Bindyarani Devi (weightlifting), Shilpa K. Shyla (women's shot put F57) and Jhandu Kumar (para powerlifting).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.