Scholar and Mother Seema Kaliramna Secures Commonwealth Discus Bronze
PhD student Seema Kaliramna overcame postpartum health challenges to earn a bronze medal in her Commonwealth Games debut. Despite harsh weather conditions, she recorded a 58.65m throw to secure a podium finish.
Key takeaways
- Seema Kaliramna won bronze at the Commonwealth Games with a 58.65m discus throw, finishing behind Samantha Hall and Julia Tunks.
- The 27-year-old athlete and PhD scholar successfully returned to competition after a three-year break and a diagnosis of postpartum arthritis.
- Coached by her husband Ravinder, Kaliramna previously secured gold at the 2025 National Games and the inter-State meet in Chennai.
- Kaliramna aims to exceed the 60m threshold and secure another podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games.
A Breakthrough Performance at Scotstoun Stadium
Entering the shadow of her namesake and four-time Commonwealth medalist Seema Punia, 27-year-old Seema Kaliramna carved out her own legacy on Thursday. The PhD scholar and mother secured a bronze medal in the women’s discus throw at the Scotstoun Stadium, marking a successful debut at the Games despite challenging environmental conditions.
Kaliramna achieved her podium-topping distance of 58.65m on her third attempt. This effort placed her behind Jamaica’s Samantha Hall, who took gold with a 61.66m throw, and Canada’s Julia Tunks, who earned silver with a mark of 60.67m. While Kaliramna voiced minor disappointment at not crossing the 60m threshold or matching her personal best of 59.73m, she maintained an optimistic perspective on the result.
Overcoming Postpartum Arthritis and Training Hurdles
The journey to the international podium was defined by physical adversity. Kaliramna returned to competitive athletics in July 2022, less than a year after the birth of her son, Rudra, in August 2021. Her path was complicated by a diagnosis of arthritis following her pregnancy, a condition that threatened her professional trajectory. Under the technical guidance of her husband and coach, Ravinder Kaliramna, she navigated a three-year hiatus to climb back through the national ranks.
- Early 2025: Won gold at the National Games in Uttarakhand with a 52.70m throw.
- Late 2025: Secured the inter-State title in Chennai with a 57.18m effort.
- June 2026: Set a personal record of 59.73m in Bhubaneswar.
Strategic Growth and Future Outlook
Kaliramna cited her recent experience at the 2025 Asian Championships as a turning point in her mental preparation. She noted that earlier international appearances were hindered by a lack of competitive experience and difficulty maintaining composure. Reflecting on the cool climate during the Commonwealth final, she admitted the temperature made warming up difficult, leading to four fouls out of six attempts. However, the athlete now turns her focus to the upcoming Asian Games, where she intends to target the 60m mark and further her medal count.
Source: The Hindu — Sport
Related stories
Karthikeyan’s Son Leads Mini Class as IAME Series India Moves to Chennai
Former USSF Chief Carlos Cordeiro Resigns Over FIFA World Cup Privatization Plan
Internal Divide as Hockey India President Denies Involvement in Saffron Kit Rebrand
