Campus Times | Lucknow 

Indias campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has produced not just medals, but stories of extraordinary resilience. Para shot-putter Sharmila Dhankhar and weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav emerged among the countrys inspiring medal winners, with both athletes turning years of hardship into moments of sporting triumph.

While Dhankhar created history by winning Indias first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in para athletics, Yadav secured silver in the womens 53kg weightlifting category. Their sporting disciplines are different, but their journeys share a common thread—years of struggle, family sacrifices and an unwavering determination to succeed.

Polio at two, sporting career at 34, Sharmilas remarkable rise

Born on August 15, 1986, in Haryanas Chitrauli village, Sharmila Dhankhar grew up in a financially struggling family. Her father is a farmer, while her mother is visually impaired. At just two years of age, Sharmila contracted polio, which permanently affected her left leg.

Her challenges, however, extended far beyond her physical disability. Married at the age of 19, she endured years of domestic violence before eventually leaving her first husband and returning to her parents with her two daughters.

A fresh chapter in her life began when her second husband, Ajit Singh, encouraged her to explore para-sports. Dhankhar took up athletics at the age of 34, an age when many athletes are already well into their careers.

Under coaches Tek Chand and Devendra, she quickly established herself as a promising para athlete. In 2021, she won gold at the Para National Championships on her debut and also set a national record with a 7.40m throw in the F57 category.

From fourth-place finishes to a historic gold

Dhankhars journey to the top was not immediate. She finished fourth at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and repeated the same position at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.

Despite coming agonisingly close to the podium, she continued to train and compete. Her sporting journey was also accompanied by severe financial difficulties. In 2023, her family was forced to sell their house in Haryanas Rewari.

The setbacks did not end her pursuit of sporting glory.

In Glasgow, Dhankhar finally converted years of hard work into a historic gold medal. Her triumph made her Indias first Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para athletics and gave a new dimension to a career that began relatively late and was shaped by extraordinary personal adversity.

Her ambitions, however, do not end in Glasgow. With the 2026 Asian Games ahead, Dhankhar hopes to add another major medal to her collection and eventually fulfil her dream of buying a house for her family once again.

Gyaneshwari fought through pain to keep her commonwealth dream alive

Gyaneshwari Yadavs path to the podium was equally demanding. The 23-year-old from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, won silver in the womens 53kg weightlifting category after years of rigorous training and family support.

At the Glasgow Games, she faced an additional physical challenge when she had to compete on the first day of her menstrual cycle. Although she had trained in similar circumstances before, competing at a major international event while dealing with menstrual pain tested both her physical endurance and mental strength.

Rather than allowing the discomfort to affect her performance, Yadav focused on her goal. A successful first lift boosted her confidence, allowing her to complete her remaining attempts and secure the silver medal.

For Yadav, the medal represented much more than an individual achievement. It was also a tribute to years of sacrifice made by her family.

Fathers bicycle rides became the foundation of her sporting dream

Coming from a financially weak family, Gyaneshwari had limited resources when she began pursuing weightlifting. Her father, Deepak Yadav, who had pursued bodybuilding as a hobby, played a crucial role in her early development.

He would take his daughter to the gym on his bicycle every day. Having been unable to reach the national or international stage himself, he wanted his daughter to achieve what he could not and bring recognition to the country.

That dream took a significant step towards reality in Glasgow.

Following her Commonwealth Games success, the Chhattisgarh government announced a cash reward of Rs 30 lakh for Gyaneshwari. She was also granted an out-of-turn promotion from Assistant Sub-Inspector to Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The recognition, she said, would provide additional motivation and support as she prepares for the next challenge.

Asian Games next: two journeys, one message

With the Commonwealth Games behind them, both athletes now have their sights firmly set on the Asian Games.

For Dhankhar, the upcoming competition offers another opportunity to establish herself among Asias leading para athletes. For Yadav, it is a chance to build on her Commonwealth silver and continue the journey that began with her fathers bicycle rides to the gym.

Their stories underline a powerful message: sporting success is rarely achieved overnight. Behind every medal can lie years of financial hardship, physical pain, personal setbacks and sacrifices that remain invisible to the audience watching from the stands.

Sharmila Dhankhar turned disability, domestic violence and financial struggles into the foundation of a historic para-athletics career. Gyaneshwari Yadav turned limited resources, relentless training and physical discomfort into a Commonwealth medal.

For both, Glasgow was not merely about standing on the podium. It was about proving that years of struggle can ultimately become the strongest foundation for success.