Shivraj hails Sharmila Dhankhar's historic CWG gold
Synopsis
Sharmila Dhankhar has become the first Indian to win a para athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games, claiming the Women's Shot Put F57 title at CWG2026. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hailed the feat as a historic milestone for India.
Key Takeaways
Sharmila Dhankhar won gold in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at CWG2026 on 28 July 2026 .
She is the first Indian athlete ever to win a gold medal in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan celebrated the win on X, calling it a new chapter in Indian sporting history.
The F57 category is for athletes who compete from a seated position due to impaired leg function.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for India's growing para sports programme on the global stage.
Sharmila Dhankhar has done what no Indian para athlete had done before — and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made sure the nation stopped to notice. On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, Chouhan took to X to celebrate Dhankhar's gold medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at #CWG2026, calling her achievement a new chapter in Indian sporting history.
Posting in Hindi, Chouhan declared, 'Bharat ki beti ne rach diya itihas' — 'India's daughter has made history.' He noted that Dhankhar has become the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal for India in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games, a distinction that sets her apart in the entire history of the Games.
The F57 final and what the gold means
The Shot Put F57 category is contested by athletes with impaired muscle power or range of movement in the legs who compete from a seated position. Winning gold in this discipline at a Commonwealth Games is a landmark not just for Dhankhar personally, but for Indian para athletics as a whole — a sport that has steadily grown in visibility and competitive depth over the past decade. Chouhan described her achievement as a product of 'indomitable courage, unwavering resolve, and relentless hard work' — 'aadamya sahas, atoot sankalp aur athak parishram' — and called it 'a source of pride and inspiration for the entire country.' He extended heartfelt congratulations and wished her a bright future.India's para athletes on the global stage
India's para sports ecosystem has expanded significantly in recent years, with athletes competing across track, field, and combat disciplines at major international events. The Commonwealth Games, a quadrennial multi-sport event, has periodically featured para athletics alongside able-bodied competitions, giving Indian para athletes a high-profile platform outside the Paralympic cycle. A gold in that arena — and a first-ever at that — underlines how far the programme has come. Senior political figures routinely use social media to amplify individual sporting wins, but Chouhan's post carries specific weight: Dhankhar's medal is not a podium finish in a crowded field. It is a record. India has never stood on the top step of a Commonwealth para athletics podium before. It does now. For a country that has historically measured its sporting identity through cricket, a para athlete planting a flag at the Commonwealth Games is exactly the kind of moment that reshapes the national imagination — one gold, one name, one new chapter.Point of View
So the recognition carries real weight beyond routine political optics. India's para sports story has been one of quiet, steady ascent, and a first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in athletics marks a structural shift, not just a feel-good moment. It signals that India's para athlete pipeline — built on grassroots identification, improved coaching infrastructure, and international exposure — is now producing world-class results at marquee events. Expect this milestone to feature in policy conversations around para sports funding and recognition in the months ahead.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sharmila Dhankhar?
Sharmila Dhankhar is an Indian para athlete who competes in the Shot Put F57 category, an event for seated throwers with impaired leg function. She made history at CWG2026 by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
What is the Shot Put F57 event?
Shot Put F57 is a para athletics field event for athletes who have impaired muscle power or range of movement in their legs and compete from a seated throwing position. The F57 classification is used across international para athletics competitions including the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.
Has India ever won a para athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games before?
No. Sharmila Dhankhar's gold at CWG2026 is the first time India has won a gold medal in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games, making it a landmark moment in Indian sporting history.
What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan say about Sharmila Dhankhar's win?
Chouhan posted on X calling her achievement a new chapter in history, saying her 'indomitable courage, unwavering resolve, and relentless hard work' are a source of pride and inspiration for the entire country. He extended heartfelt congratulations and wished her a bright future.
