MYSURU: At the age of four, when most children are skipping and hopping, Shilpa KS lost her left leg in a road accident. His family could not afford treatment, or even a wheelchair.More than three decades later, the girl from Kanchugara Koppalu village in KR Nagar taluk completed an extraordinary journey to the Commonwealth podium by winning bronze in the women’s F57 shot put at the Games in Glasgow on Monday.Shilpa produced a personal best throw of 7.26m. She had initially finished fourth, but the Indian contingent successfully protested against Nigeria’s Eucharia Iyiazi’s 8.19m effort, which had been ruled valid. After a review, the officials ruled the throw a foul, elevating Shilpa to the bronze medal position.The medal has collected a remarkable story of resilience. Born in a farming family, Shilpa grew up not knowing that para sports existed. Curious looks and insensitive remarks were part of everyday life, but her parents made sure she completed her education despite their limited means.The sport entered her life only in 2019. After working as a Kannada teacher, Shilpa was introduced to para sport by a fellow commuter bus. She initially excelled in sitting volleyball before India’s former para-volleyball player and coach Raghavendra SG saw her potential and persuaded her to switch to athletics.The transition required immense sacrifice. Shilpa got into teaching with grueling training sessions before quitting her job to play the sport full-time. Under coach SD Eeshan at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, he developed into one of India’s promising para-spinners.He won silver and bronze at an international meet in Thailand, won a national shot put medal in Goa and won gold at the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi. Yet financial challenges persist. Shilpa continues to train with a Jaipur Foot base rather than a specialized sports prosthesis.Speaking to TOI, an emotional Shilpa thanked everyone who stood by her. “Years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice have finally paid off,” he said.
