'India is Immensely Proud': Congress President Kharge Congratulates CWG 2026 Medallists
New Delhi: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, congratulated Indian athletes Sharmila Dhankar, Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav on Tuesday for their medal-winning performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Writing on the social media platform X, Kharge praised Sharmila Dhankar for making history as India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para-athletics. He said the nation was immensely proud of her achievement, and also extended his congratulations to Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav for their impressive silver-medal performances. Kharge remarked that these outstanding results reflected the determination, resilience and excellence of Indian sport, adding that the country was celebrating their achievements and wishing all athletes continued success ahead.
India is immensely proud of Sharmila Dhankar for scripting history by becoming our first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist.🏅
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 28, 2026
Congratulations also to Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav on their brilliant silver medals. Their outstanding… pic.twitter.com/PtZaQ9OeSs
India enjoyed a strong fifth day at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, picking up four medals to take its overall tally to ten. The standout moment came from Sharmila Dhankar, who won gold in the women's shot put F57 category, becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in para-athletics. Shilpa K. Shyla was also upgraded to bronze after a Nigerian athlete was disqualified, giving India a second podium finish in the same event.
In track and field, Sarvesh Kushare claimed silver in the men's high jump, while Murali Sreeshankar and Lokesh Satyanathan both qualified for the long jump final. Weightlifting proved fruitful as well, with Gyaneshwari Yadav winning silver, Bindyarani Devi taking bronze, and Valluri Ajaya Babu securing another silver for the country.
India also made headway in boxing and swimming, with several athletes progressing to the next rounds of their respective events. Sajan Prakash and Swatik Patil both advanced to swimming finals, though Tejas Shirse, Sumit Kundu and a few others were eliminated from their events. So far, India's medal tally includes gold medals from Mirabai Chanu and Sharmila Dhankar, alongside five silver and three bronze medals across weightlifting, athletics and para powerlifting.
(ANI)
First published: 28 July 2026, 12:19 IST