Thrown out at midnight, jobless at 34: How Sharmila won gold at CWG 2026

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On the night she was thrown out of her home, Sharmila Dhankar had little more than determination to hold on to. No one could have imagined that the same woman would one day stand atop the Commonwealth Games podium with a gold medal around her neck, bringing glory to India.

Today, the Indian para-athlete is the Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s shot put F57 category, having struck gold at the 2026 Games. Her journey, from rejection and financial hardship to sporting greatness, is the kind of underdog story that feels straight out of a film. In many ways, it echoes the spirit of Mary Kom: a woman who turned adversity into her greatest strength. 

For Sharmila, sport was never just about winning medals; it began as a means of survival

Thrown out of her home at midnight by her alleged drug-dependent ex-husband, the Chithhrauli-born athlete from Haryana was left with little certainty about what the future held. Years later, she rewrote her destiny with a season-best throw of 9.81m to clinch gold in the women’s F57 shot put, becoming the first Indian to top the podium at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking exclusively to mid-day, Dhankar opened about surviving domestic abuse, enduring financial hardship, raising two daughters as a single mother, and how sport became not just her passion but her lifeline.
“I was thrown out of the house at midnight by my drug-dependent ex-husband.
“My neighbours found me lying outside and wrapped me in a quilt until my parents arrived to take me home. My ex-husband was addicted to drugs, and I endured years of abuse during that marriage. I went through all of this in my early 20s.”

‘If a relationship doesn’t work, walk away’ 

Having survived domestic abuse herself, Sharmila Dhankar had a heartfelt message for women facing similar circumstances.

“Every woman in this country should believe in herself. Give your relationship one or two chances. But if things are still not working, quietly walk away and find your own spark. Never stop believing in yourself,” she said.

Reflecting on her own experience, Dhankar added, “I tried everything possible to make the relationship work, but it didn’t. There comes a point where you realise that no matter how much you try, things are not going to change.”

Holding up her Commonwealth Games gold medal as a symbol of resilience, she said, “My message to all Indian women and daughters is to stand up against violence. Never lose faith in yourself. There is always a way to rebuild your life.”

Sport was never a dream, it was survival 

Most elite athletes begin training in childhood, chasing dreams of representing their country and winning medals. Sharmila Dhankar’s journey was different. She took up sport at the age of 34—an age when many athletes begin contemplating retirement. For Dhankar, sport was never driven by ambition or the pursuit of medals. It was born out of necessity. 

Before becoming an international para shot putter, she worked as a bus conductor with Haryana Roadways. But when she unexpectedly lost her job, she found herself unemployed with two daughters to raise and no clear path ahead. That’s when she decided to take up sport—not to become a champion, but to secure a government job and rebuild her life. 

“I used to work as a bus conductor with Haryana Roadways. One day, I suddenly lost my job. That’s when I realised that sport could be the one thing that would help me secure a government job and rebuild my life. I had two daughters to take care of, and I needed a stable future for them. That is why I took up sport,” she said. 

Sharmila found a partner who saw strength beyond adversity

 Sharmila Dhankar’s life took a dramatic turn after she left her first marriage. In 2018, her parents arranged her remarriage to Ajit Singh, a technician from Rewari.

It was Ajit who introduced her to renowned coach Tek Chand. “Ajit took me to Tek Chand sir in Rewari. After watching me train, he realised that I had something special and believed I could win medals for the country at the highest level,” she said. 

Since then, she has never looked back. 

Sharmila won gold in her maiden appearance at the Para National Championships, setting a new national record with a throw of 7.40m in the F57 category. 

120kg bench press and relentless training 

The road to becoming a Commonwealth Games champion was anything but easy. Training as a para athlete demanded extraordinary discipline, and Sharmila embraced every challenge. 

“My training sessions were extremely intense. I spent long hours on the field and in the gym. I always believed in my strength,” she said. 

That belief translated into remarkable numbers. “I could comfortably bench press 120kg,” she added. 

India’s sporting ecosystem has transformed 

The Commonwealth Games champion also praised the progress India has made in developing sports infrastructure. 
“The sports infrastructure in India has improved immensely over the last few years. I want to give full credit to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Haryana Government for the support I have received,” she said. 

While acknowledging there is still room for improvement, she believes India is rapidly catching up with the world’s best. 
“There are still a few areas where we need better infrastructure, but the pace at which things are improving is incredible. I believe the day is not far when foreign athletes will come to India to train,” she said. 

A mother’s biggest dream 

Behind every medal, Sharmila says, are years of sacrifice made while raising her two daughters. 
“I have raised my daughters through very difficult times. One is 16 years old and the younger one is 13. There were many hardships, but I never gave up.” 

With India set to host the next Commonwealth Games, Sharmila now dreams of seeing her daughters on the podium alongside the country’s best athletes. 

“My daughters Anuj and Laxmi have already started training with me. As a professional athlete, I want both to get a medal for the country. Hopefully, during the next Commonwealth Games in India, both will win medals for the country,” she said with a smile. 

From being forced out of her home in the middle of the night to standing on the top step of the Commonwealth Games podium, Sharmila Dhankar’s journey is a story of resilience, determination, and unwavering self-belief. Her historic gold medal is not merely a sporting achievement- it is a victory over adversity and an inspiration for countless women across the country. 

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