Commonwealth Games 2026: All you need to know about Sharmila Dhankhar

Sharmila Dhankhar's journey to the Commonwealth Games is one of resilience, determination and second chances. The Haryana para shot putter overcame polio, an abusive marriage and years of personal struggles before discovering the sport in her mid-30s. Now, after narrowly missing the podium at Birmingham 2022, she returns to Glasgow aiming to win her maiden Commonwealth Games medal.

Beginning her athletics career at the age of 34, Sharmila has proved that it is never too late to chase a dream.

She heads into Glasgow in fine form after winning gold in the women's F57 shot put and bronze in the women's F57 discus throw at the 2026 Fazza International Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

Early life and Struggles

Growing up in Chitrauli village in Haryana, Sharmila was raised by her blind mother and farmer father in a drought-prone region. She was the second of three daughters.

At the age of two, she contracted polio due to inadequate medical facilities, leaving her left leg permanently affected.

At 18, she was married into an abusive household and endured years of physical and emotional abuse. During that period, she often contemplated ending her life.

Following her divorce and after giving birth to two daughters, Sharmila took up various jobs to support herself and avoid becoming a burden on her family. At the age of 28, she remarried, and her husband, Ajit Singh, became the turning point in her life by encouraging her to take up para athletics.

After searching for training opportunities, she reached Rao Tularam Stadium, where she found guidance from her relative Tekchand, a para athlete who became her coach.

When she first attempted the shot put, she managed a throw of just 5m, while the national record stood at 6m. Within a year, she won gold at the National Championships and set a new national record with a throw of 7.40m.

Throughout her journey, her husband and two daughters have remained her biggest supporters. Inspired by their mother, both daughters have also taken up sports.

Rise through the ranks

Sharmila made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022, competing in the women's F57 shot put. She finished fourth and improved the national record with a throw of 8.43m, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

She continued to make steady progress over the next few years, winning gold at the 2025 Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru with a throw of 9.77m.

Her strong form carried into 2026, when she claimed gold in the F57 shot put with a throw of 8.86m and bronze in the F57 discus throw at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

Eyes on Glasgow

Four years after narrowly missing a Commonwealth Games medal, Sharmila returns to the Games with greater experience and confidence.

From surviving an abusive marriage to representing India on the international stage, her journey has become an inspiration for many. With recent international success behind her, she will look to convert that momentum into a maiden Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow.