Unnathi Bolland breaks meet record, bags gold
CHENNAI: 19-year-old Unnathi Aiyappa Bolland edged out her compatriot, Khelo India Youth Games 2022 gold medallist Sabita Toppo, to win gold and break the meet record in the women’s 100m hurdles event at the 4th South Asian Junior Athletics Championship held in Chennai on Thursday.
Unnathi, who holds a personal best of 13.66 seconds from the junior Asian Championships in Dubai earlier this year, clocked 13.93 seconds to secure the gold medal. She also set a new meet record, surpassing the previous record of 14.19 seconds held by S Kumari from Colombo.
It was a closely contested race, with Sabita pushing hard for the win, but Unnathi kept pushing and surged ahead in the final stretch to bag the top prize. “I’m frustrated with my performance; my body wasn’t moving the way I wanted. It was a very close race.”
“I’ve been traveling a lot, and the jet lag is still affecting me. The humid weather also posed a challenge. Considering all these factors, I’m happy to have come first,” she said during a media interaction after the race.
Unnathi, the daughter of former Indian heptathlete and 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist Pramila Aiyappa discussed the pressure she faces each time she steps onto the track. “I’m used to the pressure; I’ve been competing for a long time. Champions usually perform better under pressure, so I try to enjoy it,” she added.
Dindigul’s Jithin bags long jump gold
RC Jithin Arjunan’s final attempt of 7.61 meters was enough to secure the gold medal in the men’s long jump event on Thursday. Jithin set the tone for the competition with a leap of 7.51 meters on his second attempt. India’s Mohammed Atta Sazid finished in second place, while Sri Lanka’s Duwage Thevindu stood third.