Long-distance runner
The achievement was made even more remarkable by the personal lengths Seema went to in order to protect her 78-year-old mother. Fearing that her mother’s health would suffer due to anxiety over her international travel, Seema opted not to disclose her departure for Nagoya. Instead, she led her mother to believe she was attending a routine training camp in Bengaluru, a common occurrence that her family had grown accustomed to over the years.
A Secret Mission for Sporting Success
Seema, who hails from Reta village in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, explained that her mother’s history of high blood pressure made her protective of her daughter’s whereabouts. To manage the situation, Seema confided only in her elder sister before heading to Japan. She noted that while her mother might have discovered the truth through media coverage or her sister by now, the deception was a necessary measure to ensure her mother remained calm during the high-stakes competition.
Reflecting on her journey, Seema shared that she lost her father at the age of 12 and spent her formative years herding cattle and running barefoot. Despite facing skepticism from her village, she received consistent support from her mother to pursue athletics. Her recent success follows a silver medal performance at the World University Games last year, marking a significant upward trajectory in her career.
Tactical Racing and Future Ambitions
The 10,000m race in Nagoya proved to be a highly tactical affair, with athletes prioritizing podium finishes over personal best times. Seema admitted that while her ultimate goal was to secure gold for India, she was pleased with her bronze medal performance in what was her debut Asian Games appearance. She credited her training under coach Scott Simon, which included sessions alongside Olympic champions, for improving both her physical performance and mental approach to elite competition.
Looking ahead, the runner is not resting on her laurels. She is scheduled to compete in the 5,000m event on September 28, where she aims to improve upon her current result. As she prepares for her next challenge, Seema remains focused on the prospect of upgrading her medal, carrying the momentum from her historic run in the 10,000m into the remainder of the tournament.
