From motherhood, PhD to gold – Discus thrower Seema breaks barriers

Seema Kaliramna’s gold medal win in the discus throw at the 2025 National Games in Dehradun is a demonstration of sheer passion and determination to succeed, overcoming the odds life has posed.

While most athletes channel all their focus into excelling in their sport, Seema faces a unique challenge. Balancing the rigours of motherhood and the pursuit of a PhD, her journey on the athletic track has taken a demanding turn.

On July 1, 2022, the 24-year-old from Haryana returned to the throwing circle exactly 11 months after giving birth to her son, Rudra.

However, her initial attempts were shaky, leaving her in a spot of bother and pushing her into self-doubt. Struggling to find the rhythm, her movements felt rusty as she fought to regain her form.

Fast forward to 2025, Seema rose to prominence by winning gold at the National Games with a best throw of 52.07m. Though it was well short of her personal best - 57.19m, achieved at the Inter-State Championships last year - the victory served as a major morale booster.

“No matter the colour of the medal, it always feels good. I won gold, and I am proud," Seema told The Bridge after Saturday’s final.

Despite her smooth movement and sleek throws, Seema’s journey back to the top echelon of athletics has been anything but seamless.

Beyond her daily throwing sessions and fitness training, Seema juggles motherhood and her journey as a research scholar, all while ensuring her recovery from the rigours of training to stay injury-free.

But Seema does not feel the pressure. “It is a matter of pride to be a parent, pursue a PhD, and excel in sports,” she said, adding, “Having a child at home is truly enjoyable. More than the medal, he will love the toy that comes with it.”

Husband as guide force

Having a supportive husband, Ravinder - a former national champion at the junior and sub-junior levels in discus throw - by her side is a great help.

“It is very motivating. He manages the pressure both as a husband at home and as a coach on the field. He is not just a great coach but also a wonderful parent,” boasted Seema.

“We make a great team - like electrons and protons,” Ravinder quipped. “When she is down, I push her; when I am down, she lifts me up.”

Having supportive parents and in-laws has made it easier for her to navigate different aspects of life. “We hardly get to spend time with my son since he is lovingly cared for by his nana-nani and dada-dadi. Their support means the world to me,” she added.

Seema trains under Ravinder. Though she was introduced to sports in childhood by her father – a former basketball player and javelin thrower in the Indian Army – her journey in athletics was not driven by ambition.

She took up discus throw on the advice of a school games teacher, but her transition to the senior level was far from smooth. Despite the challenges, Seema represented India at the Youth Asian Championships and clinched gold at the inaugural Khelo India University Games in early 2020.

Her perspective on life changed after marriage, with Ravinder becoming her guiding force.

“I never thought about representing India, but after marriage, I became very serious being motivated by him, and my ambitions took flight. I had represented India before, but now my dream is to compete on the biggest stage—the Olympics,” said Seema.

A knee injury that required surgery followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, became a major stumbling block. Yet, Seema and Ravinder remained unfazed by the challenges.

At a crossroads in life, Seema found guidance in Ravinder. Together, they planned for a baby, and she pursued higher education – first enrolling in a Master’s degree and then a PhD.

“I was a good student in school, scoring 90 percent in my Class 12 exams. But after completing my Bachelor's in Physical Education, my studies took a backseat. It was Ravinder who convinced me to pursue my Master's and then encouraged me to aim for a PhD," she said.

Comeback not easy

After Rudra was born, she waited 11 months before returning to the throwing circle. “But it was not easy - I struggled to find my rhythm. My release was off, and the discus was not traveling far. I felt frustrated, but my husband helped me regain my strength and refine my throwing technique,” said Seema.

Her victory at last year’s Inter-State Championships, followed by her triumph at the National Games, showcased her consistency on the national stage.

Despite her victory, Seema was not entirely satisfied.

“I did not come here only to win a gold medal; I also wanted the 24-year-old Games record (55.45m achieved by Harwant Kaur in 2001). I am disappointed that I could not get my name in the record books,” she admitted.

“Since morning of the competition, I was feeling a little discomfort, so I could not give my best,” she added.

‘Want to break National Record’

She narrowly missed out on qualification for the Paris Olympics.

"The Inter-State Championships in Panchkula was the qualifying event. I had a chance to qualify through the ranking route - had I crossed 58m or 59m, I could have made it. But no problem, it was my first attempt," she said.

As she builds toward the Los Angeles Olympics, Seema has several milestones to achieve - at the National Throw Championships, Federation Cup, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.

“Besides competing in major events, I want to break the national record in women's discus throw,” she vowed.

The current national record stands at 66.59m, set by Kamalpreet Kaur at the Indian Grand Prix-4 in 2021.

The long-term goal is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “The target is to win an Olympic medal,” Seema said with a laugh.