CWG 2026: India's Day 5 medals earn President Murmu's praise in Glasgow
Synopsis
Sharmila Dhankar's gold in Women's Shot Put F57 ended a 20-year para-athletics drought for India at the Commonwealth Games — and made her the country's first-ever para-athletics gold medallist at the Games. Combined with Shilpa Shyla's bronze, Kushare's high-jump silver, and a weightlifting haul featuring Ajaya Babu, Gyaneshwari, and Bindyarani, Day 5 in Glasgow was among India's richest at any CWG in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Sharmila Dhankar won gold in Women's Shot Put F57 with a season-best 9.81m , ending India's 20-year para-athletics medal drought at the Commonwealth Games.
She became India's first-ever para-athletics gold medallist and the first Indian woman to win a CWG para-athletics medal.
Shyla claimed bronze in the same event with a personal-best 7.26m .
Sarvesh Anil Kushare won silver in Men's High Jump after clearing 2.25m at Glasgow CWG 2026 .
Valluri Ajaya Babu took silver in men's 79kg weightlifting , finishing just 1kg behind the gold medallist.
Bindyarani Devi won bronze in women's 58kg — her second successive CWG medal after silver at Birmingham 2022 .
President Droupadi Murmu on 28 July congratulated four Indian medallists from Day 5 of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, hailing their performances as historic and inspirational. The athletes — Sharmila Dhankar, Shilpa K. Shyla, Sarvesh Anil Kushare, and Valluri Ajaya Babu — delivered standout results across para-athletics and weightlifting.
Sharmila Dhankar: A Historic Para-Athletics Gold
Sharmila Dhankar etched her name in Indian sports history by winning gold in the Women's Shot Put F57 event with a season-best throw of 9.81m. The feat ended India's 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games and made her the first Indian woman and the country's first para-athletics gold medallist at the Games.
President Murmu posted on X: 'Heartiest congratulations to Sharmila Dhankar on winning the gold medal in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. By becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para-athletics, you have achieved a landmark feat. Your achievement will inspire young athletes to excel in their chosen fields. I wish you many more laurels in the years to come.'
Shilpa K. Shyla Adds Bronze in Same Event
Compatriot Shilpa K. Shyla claimed bronze in the same Women's Shot Put F57 category with a personal-best effort of 7.26m. Her podium finish came after Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi had one of her attempts ruled invalid, promoting Shilpa into third place. The President congratulated her as well, saying: 'Your resolve and perseverance are an inspiration to all.'
Kushare Clears 2.25m for Silver in Men's High Jump
Sarvesh Anil Kushare gave India's athletics campaign a strong start by winning silver in the Men's High Jump. He cleared 2.25m but was unable to convert three attempts at 2.28m, settling for silver. President Murmu praised him on X, noting that his 'excellent performance' had 'made India proud.'
Weightlifting Haul: Ajaya Babu, Gyaneshwari, Bindyarani Shine
Valluri Ajaya Babu narrowly missed gold in the men's 79kg weightlifting event, finishing just 1kg behind Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat to take silver. Earlier on the same day, Gyaneshwari Yadav bagged silver in the women's 53kg category on her CWG debut, while Bindyarani Devi secured bronze in the women's 58kg event — her second successive Commonwealth Games medal, having won silver in the women's 55kg at Birmingham 2022.
This comes amid a broader surge in India's medal tally at Glasgow 2026, with weightlifting and para-athletics emerging as key contributors. With multiple disciplines still in play, India's campaign shows no signs of slowing.
Point of View
However historic, does not erase. The real test is whether this breakthrough triggers sustained investment in para-sport infrastructure or remains a one-cycle highlight reel. Meanwhile, India's weightlifting consistency — three medals on a single day — suggests a pipeline that deserves more mainstream attention than it typically receives.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sharmila Dhankar achieve at CWG 2026?
Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the Women's Shot Put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with a season-best throw of 9.81m. She became India's first-ever para-athletics gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games and the first Indian woman to win a CWG para-athletics medal, ending a 20-year drought.
How did Shilpa K. Shyla win bronze at CWG 2026?
Shilpa K. Shyla claimed bronze in the Women's Shot Put F57 event with a personal-best throw of 7.26m. Her podium finish was confirmed after Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi had one of her attempts ruled invalid, moving Shilpa up to third place.
What was Sarvesh Anil Kushare's result in Men's High Jump at Glasgow?
Sarvesh Anil Kushare won silver in the Men's High Jump at CWG 2026, clearing 2.25m. He was unable to clear 2.28m in three attempts and finished second.
How did India perform in weightlifting on Day 5 of CWG 2026?
India won three weightlifting medals on Day 5. Valluri Ajaya Babu took silver in the men's 79kg event, finishing 1kg behind Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat. Gyaneshwari Yadav won silver in the women's 53kg on her CWG debut, and Bindyarani Devi claimed bronze in the women's 58kg — her second successive CWG medal.
Why did President Droupadi Murmu congratulate the CWG 2026 athletes?
President Droupadi Murmu posted congratulatory messages on X for four Indian medallists — Sharmila Dhankar, Shilpa K. Shyla, Sarvesh Anil Kushare, and Valluri Ajaya Babu — recognising their performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow as historic and a source of national pride.
