Glasgow, July 31: Seema Kaliramna added another glorious chapter to India's rich history in women's discus throw at the Commonwealth Games by clinching the bronze medal on Thursday (July 30), ending an eight-year wait for a podium finish in the event.
The 27-year-old produced a best throw of to finish behind Jamaica's Samantha Hall, who claimed gold with a Games-leading 61.66m, and Canada's Julia Tunks, who secured silver with 60.67m.
The Bhivani-borne thrower's bronze also took India's tally in Glasgow to 17 medals (3 gold, 10 silver and 4 bronze), while making her only the sixth Indian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the discus throw.
The medal continues India's remarkable tradition in the event, which has produced nine podium finishes
since 2002. After Navjeet Kaur Dhillon's bronze at Gold Coast 2018, India had endured an eight-year wait before Seema restored the country's presence on the Commonwealth podium.
Seema Holds Her Nerve in Final
The Haryana thrower experienced a roller-coaster final. She opened with a foul after her discus landed in the net but recovered impressively with 57.32m in the second round before improving to 58.65m on her third attempt, a throw that eventually secured the bronze.
However, the contest was far from over. Seema fouled each of her final three attempts, leaving her vulnerable as the chasing pack looked to overhaul her mark. Cameroon thrower Monie Nora Atim had one final opportunity to snatch the bronze but failed to deliver, managing only 11.18m with her last throw, allowing the Indian to celebrate a hard-earned medal.
Jamaica's Hall dominated the competition, moving ahead with 59.27m in the opening rounds before extending her lead to 60.95m in the fourth and sealing gold with 61.66m in the fifth.
Tunks, meanwhile, strengthened her hold on silver with a second-round effort of 60.67m.
Nidhi Rani Finishes Fourth
India also came close to a second medal in the event through Nidhi Rani, who eventually finished fourth with 57.10m.
Nidhi briefly occupied the bronze-medal position after throwing 55.67m in the second round before Seema overtook her. Despite improving to 57.10m, she narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
A Remarkable Comeback Story
Seema's medal is a testament to perseverance. The 27-year-old made a successful return to elite competition after becoming a mother and won gold at the 2025 National Games. Away from athletics, she is also pursuing a PhD, balancing academics with international sport.
In an exclusive interaction with myKhel earlier this year, Seema had spoken about staying away from her four-year-old son for over a year to pursue her Commonwealth Games dream, calling it the toughest sacrifice of her career.
That sacrifice has now culminated in a Commonwealth Games bronze.
India's Women's Discus Throw Medal Winners at the Commonwealth Games
| Year | Athlete | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Neelam Jaswant Singh | Silver |
| 2006 | Seema Punia | Silver |
| 2010 | Krishna Poonia | Gold |
| 2010 | Harwant Kaur | Silver |
| 2010 | Seema Punia | Bronze |
| 2014 | Seema Punia | Silver |
| 2018 | Seema Punia | Silver |
| 2018 | Navjeet Kaur Dhillon | Bronze |
| 2026 | Seema Kaliramna | Bronze |
With Seema Kaliramna's bronze, India has now won nine medals in women's discus throw across the Commonwealth Games, reaffirming the discipline as one of the country's strongest events on the international stage.
