Seema Punia


Seema Punia-Antil is an Indian discus thrower. Her personal best throw is, achieved at the Pat Young's Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas in the US.

Early life

Seema Antil was born in Khewda village of Sonipat district in Haryana. Her sporting career began at the age of 11 years as a hurdler and a long-jumper, but later took to discus throw. Her gold medal win at the World Junior Championships in 2000 in Santiago earned her the nickname: 'Millennium Child'. She studied in the Government College, Sonipat.

Career

Antil originally won a gold medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships, but she lost it due to a positive drugs' test for pseudoephedrine. As per the rules in force at that time for such an offence, her National Federation issued her a public warning after stripping her of the medal. She won a bronze medal at the next World Junior Championships in 2002.
She won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and was honoured with Bhim Award by the Haryana state government on 26 June 2006. Her absence from the 2006 Asian Games attracted considerable media attention. She had tested positive for a steroid prior to the Games but was cleared to participate by her National Federation. She, however, opted out of the team for the Games.
She won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. She finished 13th at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2014, she won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and a gold at the Asian Games.

Personal life

Antil is married to Ankush Punia, her coach, and a former discus thrower who represented India at 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

International competitions