Seema Kaliraman Shines at Commonwealth Games, Inspiring Future Athletes
Seema Kaliraman's Inspiring Journey
Seema Kaliraman, who began her athletic journey as a schoolgirl collecting discus throws for her teachers, has now made her mark on the international stage by winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. Her initial motivation was simple: to earn a better tiffin box or water bottle through her participation in state school games. Fast forward to today, and the athlete from Bhiwani has achieved a remarkable feat.
Haryana continues to shine at the Commonwealth Games, with Seema's bronze medal complementing the silver medals secured by boxers Preeti Panwar and Ankush Panghal, both of whom have reached the finals in their respective categories and are now vying for gold.
Originating from Dinod village in Bhiwani, a region renowned for producing talented boxers, Seema achieved her bronze with a personal best throw of 58.65 meters.
In an interview, Seema expressed that her dream of winning an international medal has been a lifelong aspiration. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, she remained committed to her training, believing that her moment would eventually arrive. Now, at 27, she balances motherhood and her pursuit of a PhD while proudly wearing her Commonwealth Games medal.
After taking a break from competition for two seasons due to her pregnancy, Seema returned to training within a year of giving birth to her son, Rudra, in 2022. With the support of her husband, Ravinder, a former discus thrower whose career was cut short by injury, she regained her fitness and strength.
Haryana's Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, praised Seema for her dedication and hard work, which have brought honor to both the state and the nation. Celebrations erupted at her home in Dinod village, where family and villagers shared sweets and congratulations.
In addition to Seema's success, boxers Preeti and Ankush have also made headlines. Preeti advanced to the women's 54kg final after a decisive 5-0 win against Zambia's Catherine Mwape in the semifinals. A resident of Badsara village in Bhiwani, Preeti serves as a Naib Subedar in the Army and has previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games and a gold at the 2025 World Cup. She is set to compete for gold tomorrow.
Following Preeti's victory, 19-year-old Ankush from Bheria village in Hisar secured his place in the men's 80kg final with a unanimous decision win over Canada's Joshua Ofori. Known for his speed and precision, Ankush has guaranteed at least a silver medal for India. He showcased his dominance in the semifinals with a 5-0 victory.
Ankush's father, Suresh Panghal, a farmer, shared that his son began boxing at the age of 12 under coach Pradeep in Hisar. Currently training with the Army at a sports center in Bengaluru, Ankush has earned silver medals at the 2023 Youth Championship in Kazakhstan and the 2025 World Boxing Cup, in addition to representing India at the 2026 National Championship and Grand Prix.