Glasgow, August 2: Para-athlete Somn Rana achieved a remarkable feat by winning the gold medal in the Shot Put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Having lost a leg while serving in the Indian Army, Somn shared that his journey to this success was filled with challenges.
In the 2022 Asian Games, Somn secured a silver medal. He threw the shot put a distance of 13.40 meters, marking a historic achievement. In an interview, he stated, “I am from the Indian Army. In 2006, I lost my right leg during duty. After that, I continued to serve, but then I learned about the Paralympic Games and began my preparation in 2017.”
Somn further explained, “After losing a leg, I often wondered how I would manage, as even a minor injury can hinder a person’s ability to walk. Adapting to a prosthetic leg and participating in sports was extremely challenging. However, I overcame these difficulties and reached this point.” He credited his success to the unwavering support from his family, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the army.
He also drew inspiration from other para-athletes. “Initially, I was unsure how I would walk or compete with a prosthetic leg. However, I observed other para-athletes who had lost entire limbs. I realized that at least I could still walk with my prosthetic leg. This motivated me,” he shared. Somn expressed his desire to dedicate this medal to those who supported him, including the PCI, SAI, the army, and his family.
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