Glasgow, 30 July (H.S.):

India's para athletics contingent created history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Wednesday as Dilip Gavit and Mohammad Basil secured a memorable one-two finish in the men's 100m T47 event, winning the gold and silver medals respectively.

Dilip Gavit clinched the gold medal after clocking 10.71 seconds, setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the process. Mohammad Basil finished second with a time of 10.83 seconds to claim the silver medal. Both Indian athletes also registered their season's best performances during the competition.

The triumph marked India's third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Earlier, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and para shot putter Sharmila Dhankar had also won gold medals for the country.

From Adversity to Glory: Dilip Gavit's Inspiring Journey

Born into a humble farming family in Toran Dongri, a small village near Nashik in Maharashtra, Dilip Gavit's journey to sporting excellence has been defined by determination and resilience. During his childhood, he worked alongside his parents in the fields.

At the age of five or six, Dilip suffered a severe injury to his right arm after falling from a tree. As timely medical treatment was unavailable, the injury developed into gangrene, eventually leading to the amputation of his arm below the elbow.

Despite these life-altering circumstances, Dilip refused to give up and carved out a successful career in para athletics. Earlier this year, he won gold medals at the India Open and the New Delhi Grand Prix. He is also the reigning gold medallist in the men's 400m T47 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games.

The outstanding performances by Dilip Gavit and Mohammad Basil in the men's 100m T47 event in Glasgow are being hailed as a landmark achievement for Indian para athletics. Their shared podium finish not only brought immense pride to the nation but also significantly boosted India's medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar