40-Year-Old Ex-Conductor Sharmila Dhankar Makes History: CWG 2026 Gold 'Just a Trailer'

Indian para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar, 40, became the country’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist after winning the women’s shot put F57 event at the 2026 edition with a throw of 9.81 metres.

Dhankar’s victory in Glasgow marked a historic milestone for India, as no para-athlete from the country had previously won gold at the Commonwealth Games. She finished ahead of Ghana’s Zinabu Issah (8.65m) and Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi (8.19m), while fellow Indian Shilpa placed fourth.

Speaking after her win, Dhankar called her gold medal “just a trailer” and set her sights on future competitions. “The movie is yet to come,” she said, naming the Asian Games and Paralympics as her next targets. “After that, I’ll set my target straight for the Olympics, for a good gold.”

Dhankar, who has been a sportsperson for six years, credited her mother and the government for their support. She also reflected on her journey, noting she was unaware of the historic significance of her achievement until later. “I didn’t know that this gold medal of mine would become the first medal in the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

A Remarkable Journey Before her athletic career, Dhankar worked as a conductor, becoming Haryana’s first female conductor. Her path to the podium included overcoming personal challenges, including surviving domestic violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Dhankar and other Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists at his residence in New Delhi, congratulating them on their achievements. The meeting was part of a broader celebration of India’s sporting success at the Games.

What’s Next Dhankar’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games and Paralympics, where she aims to build on her Commonwealth success. Her gold in Glasgow has already cemented her place in Indian sports history, but she insists her journey is far from over.