SHARMILA Dhankar scripted history by becoming India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist, while high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and weightlifter Valluri Ajaya Babu clinched a silver each, as the country enjoyed a rewarding day in the multi-sport event here. Sharmila delivered a landmark performance by winning the women’s shot put F57 title with a season-best effort of 9.81m, becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in paraathletics at the Games late on Monday night. Her triumph ended India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Games.

 

The last para athletics medal in CWG was won by Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan in the men’s seated Discus Throw event in the 2006 edition. The F57 classification is for athletes with lower limb impairments, limb deficiencies or reduced muscle power. Soon after, national record holder Kushare created history by becoming the first Indian to win a silver medal in the men’s high jump at the Games. The 31-year-old cleared 2.25m before narrowly missing out on gold on countback to Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford after both failed to clear 2.28m. England’s Jack Kimani took bronze with 2.20m. Kushare improved upon the bronze won by Tejaswin Shankar in Birmingham four years ago, which had been India’s only medal in the event. Tejaswin retired after failing to clear 2.05m in his opening attempt.