CWG 2026: Bindyarani Devi bags bronze as PM Modi, Mandaviya hail weightlifter
Bindyarani Devi won bronze in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event at CWG 2026, securing her second Commonwealth Games medal as PM Modi congratulated her.
Sharmila Dhankar etched her name into the history books after becoming India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist, producing a season-best throw of 9.81m to win the women’s shot put F57 title at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 40-year-old Haryana para-athlete finished comfortably ahead of Ghana’s Zinabu Issah, who claimed silver with 8.65m, while fellow Indian Shilpa Shyla completed a memorable day for the contingent by securing bronze after Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi was disqualified following a review.
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The result gave India its first-ever double podium finish in a para-athletics event at the Commonwealth Games while also ending the country’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Games.
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Sharmila’s gold was India’s second at Glasgow 2026 and capped another successful day for the contingent, with weightlifting and athletics continuing to drive the country’s medal charge.
PM Modi, Sports Minister Mandaviya congratulate Sharmila
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sharmila on her historic achievement, describing it as a landmark moment for Indian para athletics.
“History has been created in Glasgow! Congratulations to Sharmila for a very special Gold in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event and also for a season-best throw. This remarkable performance ends a two-decade-long wait for para-athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games. My best wishes for the endeavours ahead,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
History has been created in Glasgow!
Congratulations to Sharmila for a very special Gold in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event and also for a season-best throw. This remarkable performance ends a two decade long wait for a Para Athletics Gold at the Commonwealth Games.
My best…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 28, 2026
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also hailed the achievement, calling it a proud moment for the nation.
“HISTORIC GOLD IN GLASGOW! Sharmila wins Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57 & creates history at #CWG2026. She becomes India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in Para Athletics. Your indomitable spirit has made the entire nation proud on the global stage,” Mandaviya wrote on X.
HISTORIC GOLD IN GLASGOW! 🥇🇮🇳
Sharmila wins Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57 & creates history at #CWG2026.
She becomes India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in Para Athletics.Your indomitable spirit has made the entire nation proud on the global stage.… pic.twitter.com/gP1RA7ZHbn
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 27, 2026
Sharmila dedicates gold to her mother
Speaking after her historic triumph, an emotional Sharmila dedicated the medal to her mother and vowed to continue bringing laurels to the country.
“I am extremely happy to win a medal for my country. I feel really proud, and I will continue bringing glory to the nation. This was my dream, and my mother’s dream too. I won this gold through hard work. My mother will be overjoyed. I got this medal for her. Asian Games and the Olympics are next. This is my first medal, and I will keep winning many more in the future,” she said.
Sharmila only took up para athletics at the age of 34 but has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past few years, emerging as India’s leading F57 shot putter before achieving the biggest success of her career in Glasgow.
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