How did Seema Punia perform at 2020 Tokyo Olympics? A look at the Indian discuss thrower's performance at previous Olympic Games

Seema Punia-Antil is an Indian discus thrower, hailing from Sonipat in Haryana. Her personal best throw is 64.84 m, which she achieved in Kyiv in 2004. She has taken part in four Olympics so far — 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Meanwhile, her best performance came out at the 2012 London Olympics where she finished in the 12th spot. However, she has never qualified for a final in the Summer Games.

Seema Punia earned a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) during the National Senior Inter-State Athletic Championships in Patiala on June 29, 2021, which was the final day of the qualification deadline. She registered a throw of 63.72m, with the qualifying mark being 63.50m.

Punia had returned to competition only during the 2021 season after clinching a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. The now 41-year-old veteran started her attempts in Group B with a foul throw.

However, she threw 60.57m on her second attempt while the third attempt of the throw marked 58.93m. The Indian faced disappointment, finishing sixth in her group and 16th overall, and thus made an early exit from the Tokyo Games.

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A look at Seema Punia's other achievements

Apart from her journey in the Olympics, she has a decorated record, including silver medals at the 2006, 2014, and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, she earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. In 2014, she won gold at the Asian Games in Incheon and bronze medals in the 2018 and 2022 events.

Seema Punia won a gold medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships. However, her win was short-lived as she was disqualified due to a positive drug test for pseudoephedrine.

The National Federation issued her a public warning after stripping her of the medal. She returned and won a bronze medal at the subsequent World Junior Championships in 2002.