"India is immensely proud": Congress president Kharge congratulates CWG 2026 medallists
New Delhi, July 28
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday congratulated Indian athletes Sharmila Dhankar, Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav for their medal-winning performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Taking to X, Kharge hailed Sharmila Dhankar for scripting history by becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist.
"India is immensely proud of Sharmila Dhankar for scripting history by becoming our first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist. Congratulations also to Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav on their brilliant silver medals. Their outstanding performances reflect the determination, resilience and excellence of Indian sport. The nation celebrates your achievements. Wishing all our athletes continued success!" Kharge wrote.
India had a strong Day 5 at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning four medals to take its overall tally to 10 medals.
The highlight was Sharmila Dhankar's gold in the women's shot put F57, making her India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para athletics. Shilpa K. Shyla's upgrade to bronze after a Nigerian athlete's disqualification also gave India a double podium finish.
In athletics, Sarvesh Kushare won silver in men's high jump, while Murali Sreeshankar and Lokesh Satyanathan qualified for the long jump final. Weightlifting added three more medals, with Gyaneshwari Yadav winning silver, Bindyarani Devi taking bronze and Valluri Ajaya Babu securing silver.
India also made progress in boxing and swimming, with several athletes advancing in their respective events, while Sajan Prakash and Swatik Patil reached swimming finals. However, Tejas Shirse, Sumit Kundu and several others bowed out of their events.
India's medal winners so far include Mirabai Chanu and Sharmila Dhankar with gold, along with five silver and three bronze medallists across weightlifting, athletics and para powerlifting.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Amazing performance by our athletes! 👏 But honestly, I wish the government would invest more in grassroots sports. We have so much talent but not enough facilities in smaller towns. These medals are won despite the system, not because of it. Still, very proud moment for the nation!
Incredible to see India's medal tally growing day by day! The para-athletes are especially inspiring - they overcome so many challenges. Sharmila's gold in shot put is a testament to her grit. Well done, Team India! 🥇
Awesome to see Sreeshankar and Lokesh qualifying for the long jump final! And Bindyarani Devi adding another medal in weightlifting - she's a powerhouse. Our athletes are truly making the tricolor fly high! 🇮🇳🔥 Just wish Tejas Shirse and others who bowed out get more support too.
This is wonderful news! But let's also remember that the Commonwealth Games don't have the same level of competition as Olympics or Asian Games. While we celebrate, we should push for better performance at the highest level. Still, every medal is hard-earned - congrats to all athletes! 🌟
That double podium finish in women's shot put is amazing! Sharmila's gold and Shilpa's upgrade to bronze - what a moment for Indian para-sports. The weightlifting team is also on fire! 10 medals on Day 5 is brilliant. Keep going, champions! 🥇🥈🥉
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