Indian para-athletes continued their impressive performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Indian Army soldier Soman Rana made history by winning the gold medal in the men’s para-shot put F57 event. Shubham Juyal, also from India, took home the silver medal. India thus achieved a double podium finish in this event, winning both gold and silver.
Soman Rana produced a superb throw of 13.40 meters to take first place in the final held in Glasgow on Saturday, August 1. India’s Shubham Juyal was leading early in the competition with a throw of 13.08 meters, but the experienced Soman made a strong comeback and overtook him.
With this victory, Soman Rana became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the men’s para shot put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games. Shubham Juyal added to India’s achievement by winning silver.
There’s a long story of struggle behind Soman Rana’s success. A member of the Indian Army, Soman previously boxed. In 2005, while patrolling in Jammu and Kashmir, he was struck by a landmine blast. The accident was so severe that he lost one of his legs.
This incident ended his boxing career, but his passion for the sport remained. Instead of giving up, he ventured into para-sports and took up shot put as his new sport.
Made a distinct identity in para athletics
Soman, who has been active in para-athletics for several years, has consistently improved his performance. He won a silver medal at the 2022 Para Asian Games. He then cemented his international standing by winning a bronze medal at the 2025 Para World Championships. Now, by winning gold at the CWG 2026, he has added another major achievement to his career.
India’s Shubham Juyal also performed brilliantly in this event. He won the silver medal with a throw of 13.08 meters. Shubham is also a member of the Indian Army and serves as a Lance Naik.
Shubham, who hails from Roorkee, Uttarakhand, had his life completely changed after an accident. In 2012, while traveling to an interview at the Army Cadet College, he had a bike accident, resulting in the loss of a leg. With the help of a prosthetic leg, he began a new life and pursued a career in para shot put.
The success of Soman Rana and Shubham Juyal is also special for India because both are members of the Indian Army and made impressive comebacks to the field despite serious injuries. By winning gold and silver in the same event at CWG 2026, both athletes secured India a double podium finish and turned their struggles into historic achievements.