Commonwealth Games 2026, Sharmila Dhankhar: India has won its second gold medal at the ongoing 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. After Mirabai Chanu, para-athlete Sharmila Dhankhar secured a gold medal for the country, winning the women's para shot put F57 event.
Sharmila Dhankhar achieved this feat with a best throw of 9.81 meters. Her journey from her roots in Haryana to waving the Tricolour in Glasgow has been fraught with hardships. It includes a painful saga ranging from the debilitating effects of polio to suffering domestic violence. Things had reached such a dire point that she had even contemplated ending her life. But as the saying goes, life always offers everyone a second chance.
Contracted Polio at Age Two
Sharmila Dhankad was born in the village of Chitrauli in Haryana. She was the second of three sisters. Her mother was visually impaired. Her father was a farmer, but crop yields were poor due to the region being drought-prone.
When Sharmila was just two years old, polio affected her left leg. That was not the end of the story; it was merely the beginning of her painful journey.
Contemplated Suicide Due to Domestic Violence
Sharmila Dhankad got married at the age of 18. However, the husband and family she ended up with turned her life into a living hell. She became a victim of dowry demands and domestic violence; daily verbal abuse and physical beatings became a part of her life.
Amidst the physical and mental torment, circumstances reached a point where Sharmila began contemplating taking her own life. Eventually, she divorced her first husband.
Divorce from first husband; remarriage at 28
After her divorce, Sharmila Dhankad had to think not only about herself but also about raising her two daughters. She did not want to become a burden on her parents. Consequently, she took up various odd jobs. However, her life took a turn when she remarried at the age of 28.
Second husband transformed her life; she became a para-athlete
Sharmila Dhankad’s second husband, Ajit Singh, suggested she pursue a career in para-athletics. Acting on his advice, she decided to become a para-athlete. She went to Rao Tularam Stadium for training, where she was coached by former para-athlete Tek Chand. Sharmila Dhankad made her para-athletics debut at the age of 34.
She had made her Commonwealth debut four years ago in Birmingham, where she missed out on a medal by finishing fourth. However, she created history by winning a gold medal at her second Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026. She became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the para-shot put F57 event.
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