CWG 2026: How Seema Kaliramna juggled motherhood, PhD on her way to discus throw bronze

When Seema Kaliramna stepped into the discus circle in Glasgow, she carried more than just the hopes of an athletics-loving nation.

She carried the lessons of a career rebuilt through injury, motherhood and years of perseverance.

On Friday, the 27-year-old clinched the bronze medal in the women's discus throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, producing a best throw of 58.65m to finish on the podium.

Fellow Indian Nidhi Rani narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth with 57.10m after improving her mark in each of her final three attempts.

For Seema, the bronze was the reward for a journey that has been anything but straightforward.

Born in Bhiwani, Haryana, Seema was introduced to athletics by her father, a former Indian Army athlete who competed in basketball and javelin. Under his guidance at Bhim Stadium, she quickly made a name for herself in age-group competitions and represented India at the Youth Asian Championships.

Her life changed again when she married Ravinder Kaliramna, himself a former national-level discus thrower.

The couple wasted little time after their wedding, returning to training the very next day for a university competition. Ravinder soon became much more than a husband; he became her full-time coach, helping shape both her technique and mindset.

Then came another challenge. A serious knee injury during the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to derail her career. Surgery was advised, but Seema chose rehabilitation instead.

Around the same time, she embraced motherhood, giving birth to her son Rudra.

Returning to elite sport after childbirth is never easy. Just 11 months after becoming a mother, Seema was back in competition, balancing training sessions with parenting responsibilities.

With support from both her parents and in-laws, she slowly worked her way back to the national stage.

She also refused to let the break in her sporting career go to waste.

Encouraged by her husband, Seema pursued higher education, completing her master's degree before enrolling as a PhD scholar at Chaudhary Bansi Lal University in Bhiwani.

Her research explores the impact of mindset, goal-setting, imagery and positive self-talk on athletic performance, the same principles she applies every day inside the throwing circle.

The results soon followed. Seema emerged as one of India's most consistent discus throwers, winning the national title in 2024 and following it up with victories at domestic competitions.

Earlier this year, she threw a personal best of 59.73m at the National Inter-State Championships to qualify for both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

In Glasgow, she rose to the occasion once again. After opening with a foul, Seema settled her nerves with a 57.32m effort before launching the discus 58.65m in the third round, a throw that ultimately secured the bronze medal.

Though she could not improve further, the mark proved enough to seal her maiden Commonwealth Games podium finish.

For Seema, the medal is the culmination of years spent overcoming injury, challenging stereotypes around marriage and motherhood in sport, pursuing a doctorate alongside elite competition, and proving that setbacks need not define an athlete's career.

From a young thrower learning from her father in Bhiwani to a Commonwealth Games medallist, Seema Kaliramna's journey has been built not on one big throw, but on unwavering resilience.