CM Sukhu Congratulates Para-Athletes on World Stage Medals
Synopsis
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated three Indian para-athletes on 28 July 2026: Sharmila Dhankhar (gold, Women's Shot Put F57), Valluri Ajaya Babu (silver, Men's 79 kg Weightlifting), and Shilpa K. Shaila (bronze, Women's Shot Put F57), praising their talent and dedication on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
Sharmila Dhankhar won gold in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at an international para-athletics competition.
Valluri Ajaya Babu claimed silver in Men's 79 kg Weightlifting .
Shaila took bronze in the Women's Shot Put F57 event — meaning India won two of three medals in that single category.
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu publicly congratulated all three athletes on 28 July 2026 .
Sukhu praised the athletes for elevating India's honour and glory on the global stage through talent, hard work, and dedication.
Three Indian para-athletes climbed the global podium, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was among the first to salute them — hailing their wins as a moment of national pride on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
In a post on X, CM Sukhu extended warm congratulations to Sharmila Dhankhar for clinching the gold medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event, to Valluri Ajaya Babu for winning the silver medal in Men's 79 kg Weightlifting, and to Shilpa K. Shaila for taking the bronze medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event. 'आप सभी ने वैश्विक मंच पर भारत का मान-सम्मान और गौरव नई ऊँचाइयों तक पहुँचाया है' — 'All of you have carried India's honour and glory to new heights on the global stage,' he wrote.
Sharmila Dhankhar's gold is particularly striking: the F57 classification is contested by seated throws athletes, a category that demands extraordinary core strength and precision. Her top-of-the-podium finish puts her in the company of India's most decorated para-field competitors.
Valluri Ajaya Babu's silver in the 79 kg weightlifting category adds to a growing list of Indian para-lifters who have announced themselves on the world stage over the past decade, a period that has seen sustained investment in para-sports infrastructure at both the central and state levels.
Shilpa K. Shaila, also competing in the F57 shot put, secured bronze — meaning Indian women swept two of three medals in that single event, a rare and remarkable achievement that underlines the depth of talent India is now producing in para-athletics.
CM Sukhu's message credited the trio's success to 'unmatched talent, relentless effort, unwavering dedication, and firm resolve,' and expressed the hope that they would 'continue setting new dimensions of success and adding to the nation's glory in the future.' The recognition from a state chief minister for athletes from across India reflects the broader political consensus that para-sport excellence deserves the same public honour as Olympic achievement — a shift in attitude that has gathered pace since India's strong performances at recent global para-athletics meets.
Three medals. One event producing two of them. India's para-athletes are not just competing on the world stage — they are owning it.
Point of View
Reinforcing the idea that para-excellence is a whole-of-government concern. For the athletes themselves, high-profile political endorsement translates into visibility that can unlock sponsorships and state-funded training support. The sweep of two medals in a single para-field event is the kind of depth story that tends to quietly reshape how selectors and policymakers view investment in para-athletics pipelines.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sharmila Dhankhar and what medal did she win?
Sharmila Dhankhar is an Indian para-athlete who won the gold medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at an international competition in July 2026 . The F57 category is for seated throws athletes.
What did Valluri Ajaya Babu win at the para-sports event?
Valluri Ajaya Babu won the silver medal in the Men's 79 kg Weightlifting category at the international para-sports competition congratulated by HP CM Sukhu on 28 July 2026 .
Why did CM Sukhu congratulate para-athletes on 28 July 2026?
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu posted congratulations on X after three Indian para-athletes — Sharmila Dhankhar , Valluri Ajaya Babu , and Shilpa K. Shaila — won gold, silver, and bronze respectively at an international para-sports event.
What is the F57 classification in para-athletics shot put?
The F57 classification in para-athletics is for seated throws athletes who have full arm and hand function but limited trunk and leg function. Competitors throw from a fixed seat, requiring exceptional upper-body strength and technique.
Did India win more than one medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event?
Yes. Sharmila Dhankhar won gold and Shilpa K. Shaila won bronze in the same Women's Shot Put F57 event, giving India two of the three available medals in that single category.
