CWG 2026: The final days of the Commonwealth Games are proving to be impressive for India. Medals in athletics and boxing are being achieved, as well as success in para-athletics. Para-athlete Soman Rana secured a major victory for India. India’s Soman Rana etched his name in history by winning the gold medal in the men’s para-shot put F57 event. The Indian Army soldier secured the gold medal with a throw of 13.40 meters in the final. Not only Soman, but Shubham Juyal also secured a silver medal for the country by finishing second.
First Indian to win gold
All eyes were on India’s boxers at the Glasgow Games on Saturday, August 1st, as 10 boxers advanced to the finals. Meanwhile, Soman Rana and Shubham Juyal were showing their mettle in para-athletics. Athletes from other countries also participated in this event, but the real competition was between two Indians. At one point, Shubham Juyal was in first place with a throw of 13.08 meters, but then the experienced para-athlete Soman showed his mettle and won the gold medal with a throw of 13.40 meters, becoming the first athlete to win gold in this event at the CWG.
Had to give up boxing after losing his leg in a blast in J&K
Soman Rana’s success is unique, historic, and inspiring. Not only because he won this medal as a para-athlete, but also because the circumstances he faced to reach this milestone are astonishing. Soman Rana is a Havildar in the Indian Army and has been active in para-athletics for nearly a decade and a half. However, before taking up para-shot put, he was active in boxing.
That was until 2005. Soman, a resident of Bihar, boxed for the Army at the time. Then, in 2005, while patrolling in Jammu and Kashmir, he was caught in a landmine blast, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. This changed his entire life. He not only had to move forward with one leg, but also had to change his game. But he didn’t give up, and it paid off. In 2022, he won a silver medal at the Para Asian Games, and then in 2025, he made history by winning a bronze medal at the Para-World Championships.
Shubham won the silver medal
Shubham Juyal, once ranked No. 1 in this event, lost to his senior Soman. Nevertheless, Shubham, competing in the Games for the first time, won a silver medal. Like Soman, Shubham is also part of the Indian Army and serves as a Lance Naik. A resident of Roorkee, Uttarakhand, he was on his way to an interview at the Army Cadet College in 2012 when he had a bike accident, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. The Army subsequently fitted him with a prosthetic leg, and he continued his career in para-shot put. His success at the CWG demonstrates that neither was this decision wrong, nor is Shubham’s passion lacking.