MYSURU: At four, when most children are hopping and skipping around, Shilpa KS lost her left leg in a road accident. Her family could not afford treatment, or even a wheelchair.More than three decades later, the little girl from Kanchugara Koppalu village in KR Nagar taluk completed an extraordinary journey to the Commonwealth podium, winning bronze in the women’s shot put F57 at the Games in Glasgow on Monday.Shilpa produced a personalbest throw of 7.26m. She had initially finished fourth, but the Indian contingent successfully protested against Nigerian Eucharia Iyiazi’s 8.19m effort, which had been declared valid. Following a review, officials ruled the throw a foul, elevating Shilpa to the bronze-medal position.The medal capped a remarkable story of resilience. Born into a farming family, Shilpa grew up unaware that para sport existed. Curious glances and insensitive remarks were part of everyday life, but her parents ensured that she completed her education despite their limited means.Sport entered her life only in 2019. Then working as a Kannada teacher, Shilpa was introduced to para sport by a fellow bus commuter. She initially excelled in sitting volleyball before former India para-volleyball player and coach Raghavendra SG spotted her potential and persuaded her to switch to athletics.The transition demanded immense sacrifice. Shilpa juggled teaching with gruelling training sessions before eventually quitting her job to pursue sport full-time. Under coach SD Eeshan at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, she developed into one of India’s promising para throwers.She won silver and bronze at an international meet in Thailand, earned a national shot put medal in Goa and struck gold at the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi. Yet financial challenges persisted. Shilpa continues to train with a basic Jaipur Foot rather than a specialised 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,” she said.
