Who is Seema Punia? 10 things to know about the discus thrower

Seema Punia qualifies for Tokyo Olympics in Women's Discus Throw with attempt of 63.72m.

Seema Punia (Source: AFI)

Md Imtiaz

Updated: 31 July 2021 12:49 AM GMT

Veteran discus thrower Seema Punia on Tuesday qualified for Tokyo Olympics with the best effort of 63.70m while winning gold on the final day of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships here.

Many congratulations to Seema Punia who booked her #TicketToTokyo with a throw of 63.72m in the women's discus throw at the National Inter-State #Athletics Championship.

The qualifying mark was 63.5m.#Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/BpyQIlvLpC
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) June 29, 2021

The 37-year-old Punia, who had won a silver in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze in the 2018 Asian Games, breached the Olympic qualifying mark of 63.50m.

Let's have a look at 10 things to know about Seema Punia.

Where does Seema Punia hail from?

Seema Punia hails from Sonipat in Haryana.

How old is Seema Punia?

Seema Punia is 37-year-old.

How many Olympics Seema Punia have participated in?

Seema Punia will be taking part in her fourth Olympics after 2004, 2012, and 2016 editions of the Games.

Has Seema Punia received the Arjuna Award?

Seema Punia has not received the Arjuna Award though see has appealed for it

How has Seema Punia fared at Commonwealth Games?

Seema Punia has won four medals at the Commonwealth Games. In 2006, she won a silver, followed by a bronze medal in 2010. In 2014 and 2018, she won the silver medals.

How many medals has Seema Punia won at Asian Games?

Seema Punia won the gold medal in Asian Games 2014. In 2018, she had won a bronze medal.She became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in discus throw at Asian Games.

Is Seema Punia going to be the only female discus thrower from India at Tokyo Olympics?

Seema Punia will be the second Indian woman to take part in the event in the Tokyo Olympics after national record holder Kamalpreet Kaur, who threw the iron disc to a distance of 66.59m in the Indian Grand Prix 4 on Monday last.

Did Seema Punia face any controversy?

Seema Punia had tested positive for a steroid (stanozolol) prior to the 2006 Asian Games but was cleared to participate by her National Federation. She, however, opted out of the team for the Games.

Was Seema Punia tested for Coronavirus?

Seema Punia had tested positive for Covid, spent long hours in solitude and fought mental battles, while training in Russia.

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