GUWAHATI: Sharmila Dhankar created history on Monday, July 27, by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games, clinching the top spot in the women's shot put F57 event in Glasgow.
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The 40-year-old produced a season-best throw of 9.81 metres to secure the gold medal. She finished well ahead of Ghana's Zinabu Issah, who claimed silver with a best throw of 8.65m.
Dhankar's victory also ended India's 20-year wait for a para athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games. The country's last medal in para athletics at the Games came in 2006, when Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan won the men's seated discus throw event.
India's medal tally in the event grew further as Shilpa K. Shyla claimed the bronze medal in the women's shot put F57 event, ensuring a double podium finish for the country.
The F57 classification is for athletes with lower limb impairments, limb deficiencies, or reduced muscle power.
Dhankar contracted polio in her left leg at the age of two but went on to build a successful career in para athletics. Earlier this year, she won gold at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship. She had also represented India at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she narrowly missed the podium after finishing fourth.
India enjoyed a successful day at the Commonwealth Games, with high jumper Sarvesh Kushare winning a historic silver medal in the men's high jump, while weightlifters Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav also secured silver medals in their respective events.