Observe athlete Unnathi Aiyappa is adept at two occasions — 200m dash and 100m hurdles. She has the medals to show it.
Within the final six months, Unnathi has stepped on the rostrum in worldwide and home competitions. She received bronze within the 100m hurdles on the Asian Underneath-20 championships in Dubai, and created meet data within the 200m and 100m hurdles on the current South Asian Junior Athletics meet at Chennai.
Within the Federation Cup in Could, Unnathi went previous the skilled Srabani Nanda to win the 200m.
Because the transition to the senior stage beckons, Unnathi has determined to deal with a brand new occasion — 400m hurdles. Given her inexperience on this occasion, this poses an enormous problem.
The transfer to 400m hurdles — thought of the hardest amongst monitor and subject occasions — was inspired by her father and coach, former athlete B.P. Aiyappa. Extra steering comes from Unnathi’s mom, former Olympic heptathlete Pramila Aiyappa.
“My dad and I’ve at all times talked about altering my occasion to 400m hurdles. My father was additionally a 400m athlete. He is aware of that I’ve the pace, stride size and expertise for 400m hurdles. Our plan is to change after I get to the seniors,” Unnathi stated.
Encouraging begin
Unnathi gave 400m hurdles a shot on the Junior Federation Cup at Lucknow, the place she claimed a bronze medal. It was an encouraging outcome for a primary time try.
“I entered the Junior Federation Cup with low expectations. I competed within the 400m hurdles for the primary time, and was completely satisfied to complete third.
“I ran the 400m hurdles as an alternative of the 200m. I ran a timing 59.80s, which is excellent for a primary time try. It was slightly check that I set for myself. This was the beginning of a gradual transition,” Unnathi stated.
“Even within the 200m, you’ll discover that my stride size opens up quite a bit. I’ve a mix of excellent frequency and stride size. My dad believes that Indians are excellent at 400m hurdles. As a coach, he is aware of what’s finest for me. Even for me personally, the 400m hurdles has at all times been engaging. I do love all hurdles occasions,” she stated.
Elevated depth
Unnathi will quickly start to coach on this new occasion with elevated depth. “I’m on a break now. On this low season, I’ll prepare and begin my exercise routines in 400m hurdles. I’m conscious that there’s a lot of arduous work in retailer for me, however I’m excited,” she stated.
The 19-year-old was not enthused by her double gold on the current South Asian Junior Athletics championship. Her physique was not prepared for the competitors, as she had simply returned from the World Athletics Underneath-20 Championships held at Lima (Peru).
THE GIST
Within the final six months, Unnathi has stepped on the rostrum in worldwide and home competitions.
She received bronze within the 100m hurdles on the Asian Underneath-20 championships in Dubai, and created meet data within the 200m and 100m hurdles on the current South Asian Junior Athletics meet at Chennai.
Within the Federation Cup in Could, Unnathi went previous the skilled Srabani Nanda to win the 200m.
The World College Video games is Unnathi’s subsequent goal.
“I used to be very upset with my performances in Chennai. It was nowhere near my finest. The 200m was comparatively okay — I clocked 23.91s whereas my private finest is 23.85s.
“However for the 100m hurdles, I used to be not match in any respect. I had travelled on a 40-hour flight from Lima simply 5 days earlier than the South Asian championship started. I couldn’t do a lot in these 5 days resulting from jet lag.
“I slept via the primary two days, and did a bit of coaching later. I don’t suppose my physique was in good situation. I want I might have carried out higher, however I can not do a lot when the physique doesn’t reply,” Unnathi stated.
Packed schedule
The packed schedule this yr has pressured Unnathi to coach that a lot more durable. “My dad and I knew that this yr was a vital one, as a result of there have been so many worldwide meets. We would have liked that further focus to win medals. It has been a really arduous season, however pleasurable. This season’s success serves as nice motivation for larger challenges that lie forward,” Unnathi stated.
Unnathi’s willingness to go that further mile comes from her endless love for the game. “To be sincere, I don’t like doing something aside from sports activities. I realise {that a} sportsperson’s profession doesn’t final without end. I’ll most likely lose my capability to run in 15-20 years,” she stated.
There was disappointment, nonetheless, in retailer on the World Athletics Underneath-20 Championships, the place Unnathi couldn’t make it previous the qualification rounds within the 200m and 100m hurdles.
Outdoors the monitor, Unnathi is pursuing a level from REVA College in Bengaluru. A second yr pupil, Unnathi is completely satisfied to have the total assist of her college.
“I’m finding out journalism, economics and political science now. I like journalism — perhaps I can do one thing on this subject a while sooner or later.
“REVA College has been very supportive. They provide me leeway in terms of attendance and teachers. I’m allowed to only write my exams. It’s arduous to deal with teachers and sports activities, however to this point I’ve been capable of deal with each elements,” she stated.
Like most sportspersons her age, Unnathi is energetic on social media. It’s a window into her life — an perception into what it takes to make it as an athlete.
“All sportspersons are on social media now, particularly folks of my era. In case you share your achievements on social media, it reaches an entire vary of individuals. Most kids and youngsters imagine this,” Unnathi stated.
Inspiration
Unnathi phrases her dad and mom as her “primary inspiration”. After from mom and father, Unnathi appears to be like as much as girls’s 400m hurdles world document holder Sydney McLaughlin and 2023 World Championships 400m hurdles winner Femke Bol.
“In the case of idols, my dad and mom are primary. That’s fairly apparent. Sydney McLaughlin is one other massive inspiration. I watch quite a lot of movies of Femke Bol. Her coaching and exercise routines are great,” Unnathi stated.
Unnathi acknowledged that she would love to fulfill these international superstars.
She did get the possibility to work together with Australian sprinter Torrie Lewis, who competed within the Paris Olympics.
Torrie claimed silver within the girls’s 200m at Lima. “We had been very completely satisfied and excited to be round an Olympian,” Unnathi stated.
Unnathi additionally praised Jamaica’s upcoming star Alana Reid, who claimed the 100m gold with a timing of 11.18s on the World Athletics U-20 Championships.
The World College Video games is Unnathi’s subsequent goal. “To qualify and win a medal on the World College Video games is the principle goal for now. I’ll proceed to compete in a number of senior and junior occasions as effectively,” she stated.
Wanting on the massive image, Unnathi has massive goals. “The 2026 Asian Video games is on my thoughts. I must win a medal there. I additionally need to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” Unnathi stated.
Printed – September 26, 2024 12:23 am IST