Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
In a landmark achievement for Indian athletics, Seema, a young athlete from Reta village in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, clinched the silver medal in the women’s 5000m final at the 2025 World University Games held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. Her performance marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Indian woman to win a medal in this event at the prestigious global university-level competition.
Despite being denied entry into the 10,000m final due to an administrative oversight by Indian officials—who failed to confirm her participation in time—Seema bounced back with remarkable resilience. She clocked a season-best time of 15:35.86, her second-fastest ever, to secure the silver.
Her race was a masterclass in strategy and determination. Battling a strong field of international runners, Seema surged ahead in the final lap, narrowly missing gold to France’s Julia David-Smith, who finished in 15:34.57.
This medal is not just a personal triumph for Seema but a proud moment for India and Himachal Pradesh. It also highlights the urgent need for better administrative support for athletes representing the country on global platforms.
