Sharmila Dhankar, a medallist from CWG 2026, aims for success at the Asian Games and Paralympics, viewing gold as just the beginning.

Sharmila Dhankar, a remarkable para-athlete from India, has expressed her excitement following her gold medal victory in the women's shot put F57 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Reflecting on her achievement, Dhankar described the medal as "just a trailer" and emphasized that her journey is far from over, with aspirations for future competitions including the Asian Games and the Olympics.

At 40 years old, Dhankar's path to success has been anything but easy. Overcoming personal challenges, including domestic violence, she has emerged as a symbol of resilience and determination. Her winning throw of 9.81 meters not only secured her a place at the top of the podium in Glasgow but also marked a significant milestone in her life. She outperformed Ghana's Zinabu Issah, who took home the silver with a throw of 8.65 meters, while Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi earned the bronze with a distance of 8.19 meters. Another Indian competitor, Shilpa, finished in fourth place.

In an interview with ANI, Dhankar shared her gratitude towards her mother and the Indian government for their unwavering support throughout her journey. "This Commonwealth gold is just a trailer. The movie is yet to come. The next target is the Asian Games. After that, I'll set my target straight for the Olympics, for a good gold," she stated, highlighting her ambitious goals for the future.

Dhankar's victory is particularly significant as she became the first Indian para-athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Initially unaware of the historic nature of her achievement, she expressed her joy upon learning that she had made history. "I feel very happy. I didn't know that this gold medal of mine would become the first medal in the Commonwealth Games," she remarked, adding that she has also achieved several firsts in her career, including being Haryana's first female conductor.

Upon returning home, Dhankar surprised local children by visiting unannounced and showcasing her medals. She described the joy of sharing her success with them, stating, "I came without telling them, didn't tell anyone, I just showed up. I came unannounced, so they got a surprise and became even happier." Expressing her gratitude for the love and support she has received from her country, Dhankar concluded, "I feel very good. I hadn't even thought that there would be a gold in the Commonwealth, and so much would happen. So it's a very good feeling."