Meerut: The city is ecstatic as Meerut’s Seema Punia made the nation proud with her discus-throw gold medal in the ongoing Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
“The entire family was glued to the television when the match was taking place. Soon after she won the game, the entire family started celebrating her success,” said Punia’s father-in-law Tejpal, as the family is celebrated. Tejpal thanked city residents for supporting her.
Punia, originally from Haryana’s Khewda village moved to Meerut after her marriage to Ankush, who is also her coach.
Ankush, who is currently with Seema in Incheon, told TOI, “I am extremely happy for her success and I wish that she has many more medals in the future. Very few Indians have won medals in this game and I am proud that she is one of them.” The rest of the family is at their house in Sakoti Tanda.
Punia won the gold medal with a best throw of 61.03 metres, which she got in her fourth attempt. She was the only woman to go past the 60 metre mark in the women’s discus throw final. Punia won her first gold medal in 2000 at Junior World Championship.
“I am extremely happy that my daughter-in-law won a gold medal in the game. But this is not the end. She will work even harder and prepare for the Olympics in 2016 and gain international fame in the game,” said Tejpal.