Sharmila Dhankar created history on Monday by becoming India’s first-ever para athletics gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, winning the women’s shot put F57 event and bagging the top spot on the podium.
Sharmila produced a season-best throw of 9.81m to end India’s 20-year wait for a para athletics medal in the CWG.
Another Indian, Shilpa K. Shyla, was awarded the bronze medal after a dramatic turn of events after an Indian protest. Shyla, who produced a personal best throw of 7.26m, moved onto the podium after officials revised the result.
Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi was awarded the bronze medal, but a protest and subsequent official review overturned the decision, with her only valid-looking attempt ruled a foul.
The ruling saw Shilpa K. Shyla,
who was fourth, upgraded to the bronze medal position.
But likely, a counter-protest may also be launched by Nigeria.
A sobbing Shyla celebrated, along with Sharmila, after the dramatic upgrade to bronze, giving India two medals from the event.
F57 classification is for athletes with lower limb impairments, limb deficiencies, or reduced muscle power.
Sharmila contracted polio in her left leg at the age of two. She won gold at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship earlier this year and also featured at the 2022 Birmingham CWG, where she finished fourth.
(More to follow)
