While the gold medal marked a defining moment in her career, Dhankhar’s journey to the podium was far from easy. Let’s have a look at the early journey and marriage struggles of India’s para-athletics star.
Who is Sharmila Dhankhar?
Born in Chitrauli village in Haryana’s Mahendragarh district, she grew up in a financially struggling family. Her father was a small farmer, while her mother, who was visually impaired, looked after the family despite limited means, as reported by Sportstar.
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At just two years old, Dhankhar contracted polio, leaving her left leg permanently affected due to the lack of timely medical care in her village. Despite the disability, she refused to let adversity define her life.
Her struggles continued after she was married at a young age. She reportedly endured years of domestic abuse linked to dowry demands. In her mid-twenties, she was forced to leave her marital home along with her two daughters and return to her parents. Later, she remarried Ajit Singh, whose support helped her rebuild her life and pursue a new beginning.
Sharmila Dhankhar’s major achievements and career milestones
Dhankhar entered para-athletics only in her mid-thirties. She began competing at the age of 34 in the F57 category for shot put and discus throw and quickly established herself as one of India’s leading para-athletes.
Her breakthrough came at the 2021 Para National Championships, where she won gold in her debut appearance and set a national record with a throw of 7.40m. She continued her rise by winning gold at the 2025 Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru with a throw of 9.77m.
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At the 2026 Fazza International Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, she found success with a gold in shot put and bronze in discus.
Dhankhar also represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she narrowly missed a medal but set a national record with an 8.43m throw. She followed it up with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
Her crowning achievement came in Glasgow, where her 9.81m effort secured the Commonwealth Games gold medal. Ghana’s Zinabu Issah claimed silver with 8.65m, while Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi took bronze with 8.19m. Fellow Indian Shilpa finished fourth.
