Commonwealth Games 2026: All you need to know about Shilpa Kanchugarakoppalu Shyla

Indian para athlete Shilpa K.S. will represent India the women's F57 shot put event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Karnataka athlete earned her place in the Indian team after winning a bronze medal at the Fazza International World Para Athletics Championships earlier this year. She heads to Glasgow after also winning gold at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi.

Early days

Born in Kanchigara Koppalu village in Mysuru district, Karnataka, Shilpa comes from a farmer's  family.

When she was just four years old, a road accident changed her life. While returning home after buying an ice cream, she was hit by a speeding lorry and lost her left leg.

Despite the hardships, her parents continued to support her. She completed her schooling in her village before studying at the Government First Grade College in Krishnarajanagar.

She later moved to Mysuru for her post-graduation and worked as a teacher.

Rise through the ranks

Shilpa began playing competitive sports in 2019 at the age of 29 after her friend Geetha introduced her to sitting volleyball.

She went on to captain Karnataka's women's sitting volleyball team and led them to four national titles.

In 2023, Raghavendra S.G., Joint Secretary of the Karnataka Sports Association for the Physically Handicapped, noticed that Shilpa was well suited for throwing events and encouraged her to take up shot put and discus throw. She switched to para-athletics and quickly made an impact in both events.

Achievements

Shilpa's decision to switch to para athletics and had success quickly as she began winning medals at international competitions. She won silver and bronze medals at an international tournament in Thailand in 2024.

In 2025, she won the gold medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi. Earlier this year, she won a bronze medal at the Fazza International World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, which helped her qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Shilpa will make her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow in the women's F57 shot put event. She will now look to win a medal for India and increase India's medal tally at the Commonwealth Games.