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 gained bronze within the 100m hurdles on the Asian Below-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 degree beckons, Unnathi has determined to concentrate on a brand new occasion — 400m hurdles. Given her inexperience on this occasion, this poses a giant problem.
The transfer to 400m hurdles — thought-about the hardest amongst monitor and area 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 all the time 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 modify once I get to the seniors,” Unnathi mentioned.
Unnathi Aiyappa.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR
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 pleased to complete third.
“I ran the 400m hurdles as an alternative of the 200m. I ran a timing 59.80s, which is superb for a primary time try. It was a bit take a look at that I set for myself. This was the beginning of a gradual transition,” Unnathi mentioned.
“Even within the 200m, you’ll discover that my stride size opens up so much. I’ve a mix of excellent frequency and stride size. My dad believes that Indians are superb at 400m hurdles. As a coach, he is aware of what’s greatest for me. Even for me personally, the 400m hurdles has all the time been enticing. I do love all hurdles occasions,” she mentioned.
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 exhausting work in retailer for me, however I’m excited,” she mentioned.
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 Below-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 gained bronze within the 100m hurdles on the Asian Below-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 disillusioned with my performances in Chennai. It was nowhere near my greatest. The 200m was comparatively okay — I clocked 23.91s whereas my private greatest 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 attributable to jet lag.
“I slept via the primary two days, and did a bit of coaching later. I don’t assume my physique was in good situation. I want I may have performed higher, however I can’t do a lot when the physique doesn’t reply,” Unnathi mentioned.
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 exhausting season, however satisfying. This season’s success serves as nice motivation for greater challenges that lie forward,” Unnathi mentioned.
Unnathi Aiyappa.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR
Unnathi’s willingness to go that further mile comes from her never-ending love for the game. “To be sincere, I don’t like doing something apart from sports activities. I realise {that a} sportsperson’s profession doesn’t final eternally. I’ll in all probability lose my means to run in 15-20 years,” she mentioned.
There was disappointment, nonetheless, in retailer on the World Athletics Below-20 Championships, the place Unnathi couldn’t make it previous the qualification rounds within the 200m and 100m hurdles.
Exterior the monitor, Unnathi is pursuing a level from REVA College in Bengaluru. A second yr scholar, Unnathi is pleased to have the total help of her college.
“I’m learning journalism, economics and political science now. I like journalism — perhaps I can do one thing on this area a while sooner or later.
“REVA College has been very supportive. They provide me leeway in the case of attendance and teachers. I’m allowed to only write my exams. It’s exhausting to deal with teachers and sports activities, however thus far I’ve been in a position to deal with each features,” she mentioned.
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 technology. If you happen to share your achievements on social media, it reaches a complete vary of individuals. Most kids and youngsters consider this,” Unnathi mentioned.
Inspiration
Unnathi phrases her dad and mom as her “primary inspiration”. After from mom and father, Unnathi seems as much as girls’s 400m hurdles world document holder Sydney McLaughlin and 2023 World Championships 400m hurdles winner Femke Bol.
“On the subject of idols, my dad and mom are primary. That’s fairly apparent. Sydney McLaughlin is one other large inspiration. I watch a number of movies of Femke Bol. Her coaching and exercise routines are super,” Unnathi mentioned.
Unnathi acknowledged that she would love to satisfy 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 pleased and excited to be round an Olympian,” Unnathi mentioned.
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 primary goal for now. I’ll proceed to compete in just a few senior and junior occasions as properly,” she mentioned.
Wanting on the large image, Unnathi has large desires. “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 mentioned.
Printed – September 26, 2024 12:23 am IST
