Unnathi Aiyappa Bolland, a young sprinting sensation from Karnataka, is making waves in Indian athletics. A journalism student at Reva University, she competes in the 100m hurdles, 200m, and 400m hurdles. The Asian U20 Championships bronze medallist recently clinched silver in the 200m women’s race at the National Games 2025. Daughter of former Indian quarter-miler BP Aiyappa and two-time Olympic heptathlete Pramila Aiyappa, Unnathi carries forward a proud sporting legacy. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her journey, achievements, and future goals, alongside her father and coach, Aiyappa Bolland.
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#UnnathiAiyappa #KarnatakaAthletics #IndianAthletics #TrackAndField #SprintQueen #NationalGames2025 #HurdlesChampion #AsianU20 #OlympicDream #AthleteLife #SportsLegacy #WomenInSports #FutureChampion #BangaloreAthlete #RisingStar
~PR.152~HT.336~GR.344~
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00:00I don't know actually, I'm happy but also I'm not happy.
00:06But this is my second National Games.
00:08And the first National Games, I was heats out in under hurdles.
00:13When I saw my mom training for Asian Games and Olympics,
00:17that's the time I was like maybe 6 years old.
00:21So that's the time I was like, even I want to be like her, I want to run like her.
00:25So that's the time I started like, you know, thinking about, you know, getting into athletics.
00:32I don't know actually, I'm happy but also I'm not happy.
00:37I think I would have done much better.
00:39My curve was not that great, but I pulled at the last.
00:43That's why I got the silver.
00:45Otherwise, I don't know what would happen.
00:48But this is my second National Games.
00:50And the first National Games, I was heats out in under hurdles.
00:55So this is a good thing that I at least got a medal this time.
00:58So I'm happy.
01:12There are some advantages and disadvantages also.
01:16The advantages, he knows me really well.
01:18And you know, he can like, pick me up really good and stuff.
01:24Disadvantage is that sometimes, like, there'll be some misunderstandings and stuff like that.
01:32So I think it's good at a point, but also not that.
01:38Is it easy to manage a child and coach at the same time?
01:41No, initially it was tough.
01:43Now, as her age is growing, she's become very mature.
01:48She's totally involved in the sport.
01:50Now, nowadays, it is easy to manage because she's grown up.
01:57So before, when she was young, you know, a lot of disciplinary, all those issues.
02:03Now she's fine.
02:04Everything is falling into place.
02:07So athletics runs in the family, your mother is an Olympian, she definitely studied Asian Games.
02:12So when did you decide to opt for being an athlete?
02:19When I saw my mom training for Asian Games and Olympics, that's the time I was like,
02:25maybe six years old.
02:26So that's the time I was like, even I want to be like her.
02:29I want to run like her.
02:31So that's the time I started, like, you know, thinking about, you know, getting into athletics.
02:36You've got a wife, and your wife, she's been an athlete now.
02:42So it runs in the family.
02:44Yeah, nobody knows.
02:45I was also a good athlete.
02:47And then my wife was an athlete.
02:50Then she's an athlete.
02:51Initially, I was known as Iyappa.
02:53Then I was known as Pramila's husband.
02:55Now I'm known as Unnati's dad.
02:58So that's good.
02:58I'm very happy, very proud.
03:00So everything is going, everything is falling in place.
03:02So we are happy.
03:04Sumathi, the challenges that you face, what did you learn from those challenges in the
03:11past few competitions, in the past year?
03:16Like, losing?
03:18Yeah, failure is very important in, you know, every athlete's life.
03:23Because once you fail, you can learn from the failures and, you know, get up and, you
03:29know, work more stronger and work harder to get into a, you know, a higher place.
03:36So yeah, that's what.
03:39What are your plans for the year after the medal here?
03:42This year, I want to, like, I want to do more races and get an experience of 400 and 400
03:50hurdles.
03:51So after that, we can see what happens.
03:54Yeah.
03:55What do you do when you're not, you know, thinking about racing?
03:58You know, for example, your family?
04:02She's on the phone.
04:05Journalism.
04:06I'm doing journalism.
04:08So maybe I can try something in that field.
04:12Yeah.
04:13She's doing journalism in Rewa University.
04:17Oh, great.
04:21Okay.
04:22And who do you seek inspiration from?
04:26My parents.
04:28And apart from parents, any athlete you idolize?
04:31Femke Bol, Sidney McLoughlin, Karsten Wallroom.
04:37Yeah.
04:38Okay, yeah.
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