Para shot putter Sharmila wins gold at CWG 2026; weightlifter Ajaya Babu and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare take silver
Sharmila Wins Gold at CWG 2026
Bharatmorningnews.com – Para shot putter Sharmila wins gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, marking another milestone for Indian athletics. The 40-year-old athlete from Haryana delivered a masterclass performance in the women’s F57 shot put final, securing the top position with a remarkable throw of 9.81 meters. This victory adds to India’s growing medal tally, which now stands at ten across various sporting disciplines. The nation’s strength in weightlifting has been particularly notable, with six medals coming from that sport alone, while para athletics continues to make its mark on the international stage.
A Historic Achievement for Indian Para Athletics
Sharmila Dhankar’s journey to the podium has been one of steady progression and unwavering determination. Her performance at Birmingham 2022, where she finished fourth and set a national record of 8.43 meters, laid the foundation for this crowning achievement. Since then, she has consistently raised the bar, claiming gold at the 2025 Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru with a throw of 9.77 meters. Her form has been nothing short of exceptional, positioning her as India’s leading contender in para shot put events.
Her international experience has been equally impressive. At the 2026 Fazza International Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, Sharmila demonstrated her versatility by winning gold in the F57 shot put with 8.86 meters and adding a bronze in the F57 discus throw. These results confirmed her status as one of the country’s most decorated para throwers.
“This gold medal represents years of dedication and hard work,” Sharmila said after her victory. “Every throw has brought me closer to this moment.”
Weightlifting and High Jump Success
While Sharmila celebrated her triumph, Valluri Ajaya Babu secured silver in the men’s 79kg weightlifting category. His performance included a successful 145kg snatch, followed by a missed attempt at 149kg before he finally succeeded on his third try. In the clean and jerk, he lifted 181kg, finishing with a total of 330kg—just one kilogram behind Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who claimed the gold medal.
India’s weightlifting contingent had already made its presence felt earlier in the day, with Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi bringing home silver and bronze medals respectively. Meanwhile, Sarvesh Anil Kushare added to the silver medal count with his second-place finish in the men’s high jump final, clearing 2.26 meters to secure his place on the podium.
Ajaya Babu’s Remarkable Rise
Valluri Ajaya Babu’s career trajectory has been nothing short of spectacular. His breakthrough came at the 2023 Khelo India Youth Games, where he won gold and set a new national record. This achievement opened doors to international competitions, including the Asian Weightlifting Championships, where he showcased his potential on a global platform.
The 2024 season proved to be a turning point for the weightlifter. He announced himself on the Commonwealth stage by winning gold in both junior and senior divisions at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. His medal collection grew further with silver at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships, establishing him as one of India’s most promising young athletes.
His momentum carried into 2025, when he competed at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad. In the men’s 79kg category, Valluri dominated with a combined lift of 335 kilograms—152 kilograms in the snatch and 183 kilograms in the clean and jerk. This performance demonstrated his readiness to compete at the highest levels of international weightlifting.