‘Gold is just a trailer’: CWG 2026 medallist Sharmila Dhankar sets sights on Asian Games, Paralympics
Indian para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar won a gold medal in the women's shot put F57 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She plans to build on this historic victory by targeting future success at the Asian Games and the Olympics.
Why it matters
Dhankar's achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian para-athletics and serves as an inspirational narrative regarding overcoming domestic adversity.
Indian para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar said that the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal is "just a trailer, and the movie is yet to come," while expressing her happiness over her achievement.
Dhankar scripted one of the most inspiring stories of the 2026 Commonwealth Games by clinching the gold medal in the women's shot put F57 event, completing a remarkable journey from surviving domestic violence to standing atop the podium in Glasgow.
The 40-year-old Indian para-athlete produced a season-best throw of 9.81 metres, comfortably finishing ahead of Ghana's Zinabu Issah, who claimed silver with a best effort of 8.65m. Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi settled for bronze with a throw of 8.19m, while fellow Indian Shilpa finished fourth.
Speaking to ANI , Dhankar said her Commonwealth Games gold medal was only the beginning, with her next targets being the Asian Games and ultimately an Olympic gold.
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