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Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday congratulated the state's para-athlete Shilpa K Shyla on winning the bronze medal in the women's F57 shot put event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
In a post shared on the Karnataka Chief Minister's official X handle, the Chief Minister described Shilpa's achievement as a proud moment for Karnataka and the nation. "Heartiest congratulations to Karnataka's own Shilpa K. Shyla on winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's F57 Shot Put at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Your remarkable achievement is a proud moment for Karnataka and the nation. Your determination, resilience and unwavering spirit will inspire countless young athletes to dream big and strive for excellence. Wishing you continued success and many more laurels for India," the post read. Shilpa had originally finished fourth with a personal best throw of 7.26 metres, but moved onto the podium after Iyiazi's result was struck off, according to ESPN. The revised standings saw fellow Indian Sharmila Dhankar retain the gold medal with a season-best effort of 9.81m, while Ghana's Zinabu Issah took silver with 8.65m. Shilpa's medal also marked a significant personal milestone for the Karnataka para-athlete, whose journey to the Commonwealth podium has been shaped by resilience and perseverance.Born in Kanchigara Koppalu village in Mysuru district, Shilpa lost her left leg at the age of four after being hit by a speeding truck. Despite the life-altering accident, she pursued her education, completed a postgraduate degree and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and initially worked as a school teacher before taking up para-athletics. Her personal best throw of 7.26m in Glasgow initially left her just outside the medals, but the official review and subsequent disqualification of the Nigerian athlete elevated her to a well-deserved bronze, giving India its first double podium finish of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in a single event. The women's shot put F57 competition was dominated by Sharmila Dhankar, who continued her dream run by winning gold with a season-best throw of 9.81m. The 40-year-old Haryana para-athlete produced the standout performance of the final, while Issah claimed silver for Ghana. (ANI)
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