India's para athletes produced their finest-ever performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, returning home with seven medals—three gold, two silver and two bronze.
The achievement equals the total number of para-sport medals India had won across all previous Commonwealth Games editions combined, marking a watershed moment for the country's para sports movement.
Beyond the medal tally, the campaign stood out for the extraordinary journeys of the athletes, many of whom overcame life-changing hardships to reach the podium.
India's Best-Ever Commonwealth Games Performance
Para sports became part of the Commonwealth Games programme in 2002, making it the first fully integrated international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities.
Before Glasgow 2026, India had won only seven para-sport medals across six editions of the Games.
This year alone, the Indian contingent matched that record with:
- ???? 3 Gold medals
- ???? 2 Silver medals
- ???? 2 Bronze medals
Para athletics accounted for six medals, while para powerlifting added another bronze to complete India's historic campaign.
Soman Rana Wins India's First Commonwealth Gold in F57 Shot Put
Former boxer Soman Rana delivered one of India's most memorable victories.
Serving with the Indian Army along the Line of Control, Rana lost his right leg in a landmine explosion in 2006. After rehabilitation, he discovered para shot put and steadily rose through the international ranks.
After narrowly missing Paralympic medals in Tokyo and Paris, the 43-year-old finally achieved a career-defining moment in Glasgow.
His season-best throw of 13.40 metres earned India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in the F57 Shot Put event.
Shubham Juyal Completes Historic Indian One-Two Finish
Standing beside Rana on the podium was fellow Army athlete Shubham Juyal.
Juyal's dream of becoming an Army officer ended after a motorcycle accident in 2022 resulted in the loss of a leg.
He later joined the Army Paralympic programme and transitioned into para athletics.
His throw of 13.28 metres secured the silver medal, giving India a historic gold-silver finish in the event.
Jhandu Kumar's Journey from Auto Driver to Commonwealth Medalist
India's first medal of the Games came through para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar.
Coming from a financially struggling family, Kumar previously sold vegetables and later drove an auto-rickshaw to support himself.
In 2023, he even sold his auto-rickshaw to fund participation in the National Para Powerlifting Championships.
The gamble paid off.
Competing in Glasgow, he lifted 190 kilograms to win the bronze medal, opening India's medal account at the Games.
Sharmila Dhankar Overcomes Personal Hardships to Win Gold
Sharmila Dhankar's story is one of resilience.
Affected by polio at a young age, she later endured major personal struggles before rebuilding her life and beginning para athletics in her mid-thirties.
Despite starting late, Dhankar rapidly progressed under professional coaching.
Her season-best throw of 9.81 metres won the gold medal in the Women's F57 Shot Put, making her the first Indian woman to win a Commonwealth Games para athletics title.
Shilpa K. Shyla Earns Bronze
Sharing the podium with Dhankar was Shilpa K. Shyla, who lost her left leg in a childhood road accident.
After completing higher education, she entered para athletics and steadily improved her performances.
Her personal-best throw eventually earned her the bronze medal, giving India another podium finish in the event.
Dilip Mahadu Gavit Creates Games Record
One of the biggest highlights came from sprinter Dilip Mahadu Gavit.
Born in rural Maharashtra, Gavit lost part of his right arm following an infection during childhood.
Originally specialising in the 400 metres, he switched to the 100 metres after programme changes at the Commonwealth Games.
The decision proved perfect.
He clocked 10.71 seconds, setting a new Commonwealth Games record while winning gold.
Mohammed Basil Wins Career's First International Medal
India completed another remarkable one-two finish through Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath.
Born without his right arm, Basil finished just behind Gavit to secure the silver medal.
The result marked the first international medal of his career and highlighted India's growing strength in para sprinting.
More Than Just Medals
Several Indian athletes narrowly missed podium finishes but delivered commendable performances throughout the Games.
Among them were:
- Ramesh Shanmugam (Men's T54 1500m)
- Priyanka Goswami (Women's 10,000m Race Walk)
- Dev Kumar Meena (Pole Vault)
- Kuldeep Kumar (Pole Vault)
- Teenage cyclist Lisha Das
Their performances reflected the increasing depth of India's para sports ecosystem.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Para Sports
India's seven-medal campaign in Glasgow represents far more than a record-breaking performance.
From soldiers overcoming life-altering injuries to athletes who battled poverty, disability and personal setbacks, the contingent showcased determination, resilience and excellence on the international stage.
The campaign signals a new era for Indian para sports and demonstrates that the country's athletes are now capable of consistently competing among the world's best.
India's Para Medal Winners at CWG 2026
| Athlete | Event | Medal |
|---|
| Soman Rana | Men's F57 Shot Put | Gold |
| Sharmila Dhankar | Women's F57 Shot Put | Gold |
| Dilip Mahadu Gavit | Men's 100m | Gold |
| Shubham Juyal | Men's F57 Shot Put | Silver |
| Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath | Men's 100m | Silver |
| Jhandu Kumar | Para Powerlifting | Bronze |
| Shilpa K. Shyla | Women's F57 Shot Put | Bronze |
Key Highlights
- India achieved its best-ever Commonwealth Games para sports performance.
- The contingent won seven medals—three gold, two silver and two bronze.
- The medal tally equals India's combined para medal count from all previous Commonwealth Games editions.
- Para athletics contributed six medals, while para powerlifting added one bronze.
- Several medal winners overcame major personal, financial and physical challenges before reaching the podium.
