CWG: Dilip Gavit wins historic gold as India scripts epic one-two in men's 100m T47
It took Dilip Mahadu Gavit just 10.71 seconds to etch his name into Commonwealth Games history. The journey to that golden moment, however, was years in the making.
On a rain-soaked evening in Glasgow, the 22-year-old from rural Maharashtra produced the race of his life to win the men’s 100m T47 gold medal with a Games Record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds. Moments later, India’s celebrations doubled as Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath crossed the finish line in 10.83 seconds, a season best that secured silver and completed a historic Indian one-two.
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England’s Kevin Santos took bronze in 10.85 seconds, but the night belonged to the Indian duo, who delivered one of the country’s greatest moments in Commonwealth Games para athletics.
The victory also handed India its third gold medal of the Glasgow Games after Mirabai Chanu’s triumph in weightlifting and Sharmila Dhankar’s success in the women’s F57 shot put. The two medals lifted India to eighth in the standings with three gold, nine silver and three bronze medals.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Behind Gavit’s record-breaking run lies a story of resilience, perseverance and opportunity.
Born in a village near Nashik, Gavit lost his left hand as a child after an accident. Limited medical facilities meant it could not be saved. Growing up in rural Maharashtra, access to quality sporting infrastructure was equally scarce, making a career in athletics seem like a distant dream.
Everything changed when coach Vaijanth Kale spotted him competing in school events.
“I saw him at school and then I convinced his parents for training,” Kale recalled after Gavit’s historic victory.
“He did not know anything about para competitions. He was competing in able-bodied events and was doing well.”
Even before entering para athletics, Gavit had shown immense promise. He won two medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune and another at the Under-18 level while competing against able-bodied athletes, convincing Kale that he possessed exceptional natural speed.
“The problem in rural areas is that there are no facilities,” Kale said. “He did not get proper medical facilities, which led to his left hand being amputated.”
A BOLD SWITCH PAYS OFF
Gavit initially made his name as a 400m runner, competing in open events as recently as 2021 before emerging as one of India’s brightest para athletes.
His breakthrough arrived at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where he won gold in the men’s 400m T47. He followed that up with an encouraging campaign at the Paris Paralympics, finishing third in his heat despite narrowly missing out on the final.
When the Glasgow Commonwealth Games programme omitted the 400m, Gavit made a bold decision to focus on the 100m this season.
The gamble could hardly have worked out better.
Facing difficult weather conditions and a slippery track, Gavit admitted the race did not begin the way he had hoped.
“The start was a bit slow, but then I gradually picked up pace and it felt great to win,” he said.
Persistent rain made warm-ups difficult throughout the evening, adding another layer of challenge for the sprinters.
“The weather was not good and I had difficulty getting my timing right. The body becomes slow and it is difficult to warm up,” Gavit explained.
A GOLDEN FUTURE
While Gavit stood atop the podium, Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath ensured India celebrated a historic one-two. Hailing from Veliyancode in Kerala’s Malappuram district, Basil was born without his right arm and produced a season-best 10.83 seconds to claim silver, underlining India’s growing strength in para sprinting.
The men’s 100m T47 is contested by athletes with a unilateral arm impairment or limb absence affecting movement, strength or coordination. India’s dominance in the event reflected years of progress in the country’s para athletics programme.
Yet, for Gavit, Glasgow is only another milestone rather than the destination.
“I am not thinking about doing a job now, my target is to win medals,” he said. “I am sure I will do better at the upcoming Para Asian Games in September-October in Japan and then the Paralympics.”
Those words perhaps best capture the mindset of a man who has already overcome far greater obstacles than a rain-soaked track. Commonwealth Games gold has fulfilled one dream, but for Dilip Gavit, the finish line is still a long way away.
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