Sharmila Dhankar became one of the most talked-about names after her iconic performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Many people admire her not only for winning medals and making the country proud but also for fighting huge challenges in her life.

Sharmila Dhankar's early life was filled with troubles as she belonged to a financially unstable family. She also contracted polio at the age of two, which left her disabled. However, this could not break her spirit, and she bravely faced all odds and continued living her life. After marrying at a young age, Sharmila faced constant abuse from her husband, making her life extremely difficult. Sharmila faced years of marital rape and domestic violence. After staying with him for a few years, she left him and decided to live with her own daughters.

When Sharmila Dhankar met Ajit Singh, he gave her a new lease of life. Ajit is a businessman in Rewari, Haryana, and played a huge role in rebuilding her confidence. He gave Sharmila the motivation and encouraged her to take up sports. At the age of 34, Sharmila Dhankar joined a sports academy in Chandigarh to hone her sporting skills. Despite starting late, Sharmila remained determined to achieve greater success in her sporting career.

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Sharmila Dhankar Shot Put Career

Most para-athletes usually join sports academies at a very young age. However, this was not the case with Sharmila Dhankar. She joined a sports academy at the age of 34 and started training for shot put in the F57 category. She surprised everyone with her determination and sports spirit.

Dhankar's incredible efforts earned her a spot at the National Para Athletics Championship. She won the shot-put competition and set a national record at the event. This incredible performance saw her selected to the Indian national team, where she laid the foundation for her Commonwealth Games 2026 journey. Sharmila, who had previously won silver and gold medals at the Khelo India National Games, took part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Although she finished fourth in the women's shot put F57 competition, the experience motivated her to work even harder.

Sharmila played a crucial role in the 2024 Fazza International Championship, where she won the gold medal in shot put throw and the bronze medal in discus throw. Her performances in the tournament made her one of the most promising shot-put throwers in India.

Success at Commonwealth Games 2026

Sharmila Dhankar made history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow by winning the gold medal in the women's shot put F57 final with a fantastic throw of 9.81 meters.

Dhankar's victory in the shot put final was historic, as not only did she become the first Indian para-athletics gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, but she also ended India's 20-year-long gold medal drought. Alongside Sharmila, India’s Shilpa K. Shyla also competed in the F57 category and won the bronze medal. This gave India a memorable double podium finish in the event.

Sharmila’s journey in the sport has been incredible, having faced numerous challenges before winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026. It was a historic day for Sharmila Dhankar as she stood on the podium at the Commonwealth Games 2026. The Commonwealth Games gold medal marked the biggest achievement of Sharmila Dhankar’s career. After overcoming countless challenges, she has emerged as one of India’s most inspiring para-athletes.

FAQs

Sharmila Dhankar is an Indian para-athlete from Haryana specializing in the F57 shot put event.

Sharmila won India's first-ever para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with a 9.81-metre throw.

She was born in Chitrauli village, located in the Mahendragarh district of Haryana, India.

She competes in para-athletics, specifically in the women’s F57 seated shot put and discus throw events.

She began training in competitive para-athletics at age 34 under coach Tek Chand.