Excessive-flying Unnathi and her development into a brand new problem

Monitor 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 information 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 give attention to a brand new occasion — 400m hurdles. Given her inexperience on this occasion, this poses an enormous problem.

The transfer to 400m hurdles — thought-about the hardest amongst observe and subject occasions — was inspired by her father and coach, former athlete B.P. Aiyappa. Extra steerage 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 velocity, stride size and expertise for 400m hurdles. Our plan is to modify once I get to the seniors,” Unnathi stated.

Unnathi Aiyappa.
| Picture 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 completely satisfied 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 somewhat take a look at 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 loads. I’ve a mixture 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 onerous 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).

“I used to be very disenchanted 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 as a consequence of 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 achieved higher, however I can not do a lot when the physique doesn’t reply,” Unnathi stated.

Packed schedule

The packed schedule this 12 months has compelled Unnathi to coach that a lot tougher. “My dad and I knew that this 12 months 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 onerous season, however pleasurable. This season’s success serves as nice motivation for larger challenges that lie forward,” Unnathi stated.

Unnathi Aiyappa.
| Picture 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 aside from sports activities. I realise {that a} sportsperson’s profession doesn’t final without end. I’ll in all probability lose my capability to run in 15-20 years,” she stated.

There was disappointment, nevertheless, 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 observe, Unnathi is pursuing a level from REVA College in Bengaluru. A second 12 months pupil, Unnathi is completely satisfied to have the total assist of her college.

“I’m learning journalism, economics and political science now. I like journalism — possibly I can do one thing on this subject a while sooner or later.

“REVA College has been very supportive. They offer me leeway in relation to attendance and lecturers. I’m allowed to only write my exams. It’s onerous to deal with lecturers and sports activities, however to date I’ve been capable of deal with each facets,” 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 the event you share your achievements on social media, it reaches an entire vary of individuals. Most children and youngsters imagine this,” Unnathi stated.

Inspiration

Unnathi phrases her mother and father as her “primary inspiration”. After from mom and father, Unnathi appears as much as ladies’s 400m hurdles world report holder Sydney McLaughlin and 2023 World Championships 400m hurdles winner Femke Bol.

“In the case of idols, my mother and father are primary. That’s fairly apparent. Sydney McLaughlin is one other huge inspiration. I watch a whole lot of movies of Femke Bol. Her coaching and exercise routines are super,” Unnathi stated.

Unnathi said that she would love to fulfill these world superstars.

She did get the prospect to work together with Australian sprinter Torrie Lewis, who competed within the Paris Olympics.

Torrie claimed silver within the ladies’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 just a few senior and junior occasions as effectively,” she stated.

Wanting on the huge image, Unnathi has huge 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.