Hyderabad, (Telangana), September 14, 2024: Telangana athletes Malleeswari Sunkara and Kruti Kadakia made the state proud by competing and excelling at the World Masters Athletics Championships held in Gothenburg, Sweden. Representing India, these two athletes were among the 129 Indian participants at this prestigious global event, which saw over 8,000 athletes from 118 nations compete.
Malleeswari Sunkara’s International Debut
Malleeswari Sunkara, a homemaker from Sunkarapalem, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, currently residing in Secunderabad, showcased her athletic talent on the international stage. A sprinter, Malleeswari competed in the 45 to 49 years age category in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events, achieving 42nd, 46th, and 30th world ranks respectively. She was also part of the 4x100m relay team, which ranked 7th, and the 4x400m relay team, which finished 6th globally.
This was Malleeswari’s first international competition, and her impressive performance is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She credits her success to her coach, Shefil, who has been instrumental in her training. “Coach Shefil has been a constant source of guidance and support throughout my journey,” Malleeswari said, expressing her gratitude.
Kruti Kadakia’s Personal Best
Kruti Kadakia, a freelance interior designer from Hyderabad, also had an impressive debut at the World Masters Championships. Competing in the 800m and 1500m races, Kruti achieved personal bests in both events. In the 800m at the New Ullevi Olympic Stadium, she improved her time by 12 seconds, finishing in 3:02 minutes and ranking 28th in the world. In the 1500m at Björlanda Stadium, Kruti shaved off 17 seconds from her previous best, finishing strong to rank 19th globally.
Kruti also had the honour of competing in the 4x400m relay with Team India at Slottsskogsvallen Stadium, where the team finished 6th in the world with a time of just under 4 minutes and 47 seconds.
Reflecting on her experience, Kruti emphasized the importance of engaging elder athletes in sports. “The government must encourage Indians of all age categories to lead a very active lifestyle,” she said.
A Global Stage for Master Athletes
The World Masters Athletics Championships is a biennial event that brings together athletes aged 35 and above to compete in premier athletic events. This year’s event saw participants ranging in age from 35 to 102, including several former Olympians, highlighting the high level of competition. Events were held across three venues, including the historic New Ullevi Olympic Stadium and Slottsskogsvallen Stadium.
Malleeswari’s and Kruti’s achievements demonstrate their dedication to the sport and their ability to compete at the highest level. As Malleeswari proudly stated, “I’m thrilled to have represented India on the global stage and achieved these remarkable rankings. This was my first international competition, and I’m eager to continue pushing myself to new heights.”
Their success not only brings pride to Telangana but also serves as an inspiration to athletes across India, proving that age is no barrier to achieving greatness in sports.
