Kodagu's Unnathi Aiyappa Triumphs with Gold at South Asian Junior Athletics Championships

Unnathi, who hones her skills in Bengaluru under the watchful eye of her father and coach, quarter-miler BP Aiyappa. FILE PHOTO

Chennai: At the South Asian Junior Athletics Championships, held at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kodagu's Bollanda Unnathi Aiyappa clinched gold in the women's 100m hurdles with a time of 13.93 seconds on the event's second day, marking a stellar performance.

Unnathi, who hones her skills in Bengaluru under the watchful eye of her father and coach, quarter-miler BP Aiyappa, has proven to be a consistent force on the track. Earlier this year, she earned a bronze in the same event at the Asian U20 Athletics Championship in Dubai, clocking 13.66 seconds. However, her journey has not been without its challenges.

In a interview with Sportstar, after her recent gold-medal victory, Unnathi revealed her initial doubts. “I was very frustrated. I genuinely thought I would finish second. I pushed only at the last moment; I was scared. It felt like my body wasn’t responding. I’m definitely not at my best right now,” she confessed.

Unnathi attributed some of her struggles to the fatigue caused by her recent travels. Competing in the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima in late August, she clocked 13.92 seconds, but jet lag hampered her performance. “The journey took two days, and returning took three. I’m still dealing with the effects of jet lag,” she explained. Despite posting her personal best of 13.65 seconds in Dubai, she fell ill after returning, which further impacted her form in Lima.

Nevertheless, Unnathi remains optimistic about the future. “There’s always another chance. I know I’ll improve next time,” she said with confidence.

Coming from an athletic family, Unnathi is no stranger to the pressures of competition. Her mother, Olympian Pramila Gudanda Aiyappa, competed in the heptathlon at both the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Olympics, ranking 24th and 27th respectively. 

“Of course, there’s pressure, but I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve been doing this for so long now. The best athletes thrive under pressure,” Unnathi added.

Unnathi’s achievements on the track continue to elevate her status in Indian athletics, as she follows in the footsteps of her parents, heptathlete Pramila Aiyappa and quarter-miler BP Aiyappa.

To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly give us a call or WhatsApp at 9108795369

Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE 

Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)