Seema Punia Biography

 Seema Punia is an Indian discus thrower who has represented her country in numerous international athletics competitions. She was born on July 27, 1983, in Sonipat, Haryana, India. Seema is also known by her married name, Seema Antil.

Seema Punia showed an interest in sports from a young age and started her athletic career as a long jumper. However, she later shifted her focus to discus throw, where she found her true calling. She trained under the guidance of her coach and father, Shiv Narain Punia, who was a former national-level discus thrower himself.

In 2000, Seema Punia made her mark in the international arena by winning a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships held in Santiago, Chile. She continued to excel in discus throw and represented India in multiple prestigious events, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games.

Seema Punia participated in the Olympic Games three times, in 2004 (Athens), 2012 (London), and 2016 (Rio de Janeiro). Her best performance came in the 2012 London Olympics, where she finished in the seventh position in the women's discus throw event. This achievement made her the first Indian discus thrower to reach the Olympic final.

Throughout her career, Seema Punia has won several medals at the Commonwealth Games. She secured a silver medal in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She has also represented India at the Asian Games and has won multiple medals, including a gold medal in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Seema Punia has been a consistent performer in national championships as well, winning numerous titles and setting records in discus throw. She has also been honored with prestigious awards in recognition of her achievements, including the Arjuna Award in 2004 and the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2018.

Beyond her athletic career, Seema Punia has actively advocated for the promotion of sports and the empowerment of women. She has been involved in various initiatives to encourage young athletes and has worked towards creating opportunities for aspiring athletes in her home state of Haryana.

Seema Punia's dedication, perseverance, and talent have made her one of India's most successful discus throwers. She continues to be an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a role model for women in sports.