Indian discus thrower Seema Kaliramna made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Discover the inspiring success story of this athlete
New Delhi: Indian discus thrower Seema Kaliramna has brought glory to the nation by winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Competing in Glasgow, Seema secured third place with a best throw of 58.65 meters. This marks the first major international medal of her career and is considered a significant achievement for Indian athletics.
Seema’s success extends beyond merely winning a medal. She is a mother and a PhD scholar, while also ranking among the country’s top discus throwers. She achieved this milestone through a remarkable comeback after overcoming numerous challenges, including injuries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the demands of motherhood.
Won first international medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games
In the women’s discus throw event held in Glasgow, Seema Kaliramna made six attempts, of which only two were valid. However, her best effort of 58.65 meters proved sufficient to win the bronze medal.
In this competition:
- Jamaica’s Samantha Hall won the gold medal with a throw of 61.66 meters.
- Canada’s Julia Tunks secured the silver medal with 60.67 meters.
- India’s Seema Kaliramna claimed the bronze medal with 58.65 meters.
Another Indian athlete, Nidhi Rani, finished in fourth place, missing out on a medal by a narrow margin.
Journey from a Small Village in Haryana to the International Stage
Seema Kaliramna was born on February 25, 1999, in Dinod village, located in the Bhiwani district of Haryana. Her family has been associated with sports from the very beginning.
Her father served in the Indian Army and was an athlete who competed in basketball and javelin throw. He encouraged Seema to pursue sports from her childhood. Her school teachers also recognized her talent and encouraged her to participate in competitions.
Subsequently, Seema worked hard consistently and made a name for herself at the national level by winning a gold medal at the inaugural Khelo India University Games in 2020.
Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic stalled her momentum
There was a phase in Seema’s career when a severe knee injury and the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to stay away from competitions for an extended period.
She did not give up during this challenging time; instead, she worked on her fitness, continued her studies, and strengthened herself mentally.
It was during this period that she married Ravinder Kaliramna (Monu), a former national-level discus thrower, who later took on the role of her personal coach.
Great comeback after becoming a mother
In the year 2022, Seema gave birth to son Rudra. Usually many female players stay away from sports after motherhood, but Seema did not do so.
About 11 months after the birth of his son, he returned to the field again.
After his return, his performance continued to improve.
- Earlier his best performance was around 48 metres.
- After his return he crossed the mark of 57 meters.
- Then recorded a personal best of 59.73 meters at the 2026 National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships (Bhubaneswar).
Seema Kaliramna is also pursuing a PhD
Seema does not lag behind in academics either; she balances her studies alongside her sporting career.
She is pursuing a PhD in Physical Education at Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani. Her research focuses on the mental preparation of athletes, covering aspects such as goal setting, positive thinking, mental imagery, and self-confidence.
Seema believes that mental toughness is just as crucial to an athlete’s success as physical fitness.
This performance proved decisive in qualifying him for the Commonwealth Games 2026.
Consistent Excellence at the National Level
Seema has been delivering outstanding performances consistently, even prior to the Commonwealth Games.
She won:
- Won a gold medal at the 2025 National Games.
- Secured titles in several national-level competitions.
- Proved her excellent form by winning a gold medal at the 2026 Federation Cup as well.
It was on the strength of these consistent performances that she was selected for the Indian team.
Full Support from Husband and Family
Seema attributes a significant part of her success to her husband and coach, Ravinder Kaliramna.
Her mother-in-law helps look after her son, Rudra, allowing Seema to focus entirely on her training. She often takes her son along to the training venue as well.
After the Commonwealth Games, Seema remarked that competing while staying away from her young son was emotionally difficult, but the support of her family kept her strong.
She also credited her husband, family, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for this achievement.
Setting Sights on the Asian Games and Olympics
After winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games, Seema’s next targets are the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Additionally, she aims to break India’s national record of 66.59 meters, currently held by Kamalpreet Kaur.
Seema believes that in discus throw, the key to major success lies not just in a single big throw, but in consistent performance and mental toughness.
Seema Kaliramna’s story is not merely about an athlete’s success; it is a testament to struggle, perseverance, and self-confidence. She has proven that with a clear goal and family support, one can successfully balance the responsibilities of motherhood, higher education, and international sports.
This bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games marks a new chapter in her career and bolsters India’s hopes for the upcoming Asian Games and the Olympics.
