CWG: Rana, Juyal clinch 1-2 in para shot put
Indian Duo Secures Podium Sweep at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Bharatmorningnews.com – CWG – The CWG has once again showcased India’s growing dominance in para athletics, as Soman Rana and Shubham Juyal delivered a spectacular gold and silver medal performance in the men’s shot put F57 category. Their remarkable achievement came on the concluding day of para athletics competition in Glasgow, rounding out what proved to be a historic campaign for the nation’s disabled sportsmen at the CWG. The Indian duo’s success at the CWG highlighted the country’s increasing strength in adaptive sports on the international stage.
A Growing Tradition of Excellence at the CWG
This latest success continues a pattern of remarkable double finishes for Indian representatives at the Commonwealth Games. Earlier at the CWG, Sharmila Dhankar and Shilpa Shyla secured gold and bronze respectively in the women’s shot put F57 division. Similarly, Dilip Gavit and Mohammed Basil celebrated a memorable one-two finish in the men’s 100m T47 race during the CWG competition. These achievements demonstrate India’s consistent performance across multiple para sports categories.
The Indian para contingent’s overall medal haul reached seven at these Glasgow Games, marking their strongest performance ever at the Commonwealth Games. Six of these came from athletics, with just one bronze from para powerlifting. Notably, each of the six athletics medals featured another Indian competitor on the podium alongside the winner, showcasing the depth of talent at the CWG.
Competitive Performance in Glasgow
During Friday evening’s competition at the CWG, the Indian pair dominated among ten finalists. Following personal best performances—Rana’s 15.17 meters and Juyal’s 14.86 meters—the competition gap became evident. The closest challenger, Cameron’s Cedric Azamdzi, managed only 12.70 meters. This commanding performance at the CWG underscored the Indian athletes’ preparation and skill.
In the final throws, Rana secured victory with a distance of 13.40 meters on his second attempt. Juyal followed closely with 13.28 meters from his last effort. Azamdzi claimed the bronze medal position with 12.57 meters. The CWG results confirmed India’s position as a leading nation in para athletics.
Rana’s Inspiring Journey
The 43-year-old Armyman’s path to glory has been anything but straightforward. Born to a farmer father and housewife mother, Rana enlisted in the Gorkha Rifles as a sepoy in 2001, initially competing in boxing for his unit.
His life changed dramatically five years later while stationed along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir. A severe mine explosion led to below-knee amputation. Rather than abandoning athletic dreams, Rana relocated to the Army’s Artificial Limb Centre in Pune and committed himself to rehabilitation through para athletics. He officially joined the Army Paralympic Node in 2017.
His competitive record includes gold at the 2023 Indian Open Para Athletics and silver at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. Paralympic appearances have presented greater challenges—he finished fourth in Tokyo during 2021 and fifth in Paris in 2024. This Commonwealth Games victory completes his medal collection and adds another prestigious achievement to his CWG legacy.
Juyal’s Determination
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old from Roorkee shares the same training base at Pune’s Army Paralympic Node. His father, who retired as a Naib Subedar, inspired his son’s military aspirations. Juyal successfully passed the written examination for the Army Cadet College entry program in 2022.
A devastating motorcycle crash while traveling for his Services Selection Board interview altered his trajectory. During rehabilitation in Pune, he faced a choice between pursuing a vocational diploma or committing to para sports. He selected athletics and has maintained that course ever since.
Having captured gold at the Indian Open Para Athletics Grand Prix earlier this year, this silver medal represents Juyal’s inaugural major international podium finish. The CWG success marks a significant milestone in his athletic career, proving that dedication and perseverance can overcome any obstacle on the path to greatness at the Commonwealth Games.