From the schoolyard to the international arena
Nandani Athauda
The talent of a little girl running all over the schoolyard was spotted by a Teacher-in-Charge of Athletics and her encouragement was grabbed with both hands. As time went by this little girl excelled in the field of athletics and as a Physical Trainor .
A.G. Nandani Athauda, started her career at the Mirigama National School. She was first coached by her school’s PTI Deepani miss and later came under the wings of Padmini Weerasinghe, Gampaha District coach. Nandani first represented her school at district level athletic meets in the 100mts. and 200mts. events. Later at the age of 17 she took up the 400metres event and relays.
In 1990 this lass from Mirigama National School took part in the Public Schools and National Schools athletic meets in the 100mts. and 200mts. sprints and showed her prowess to clinch the first place and bring credit to her alma mater. Even though she was aware of her talents as an athlete Nandani gave priority for her studies and her march towards national recognition took a back seat. But Nandani was never ready to waste her talent and later represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Masters Athletic championships beginning 2008 winning 5 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals for her country.
After completing her school career Nandani joined the Sri Lanka Army, successfully completed the Physical Training Instructor’s course and in 1992 she obtained a sports diploma conducted by the Ministry of Sports. Nandani lent her support for Olympic Silver medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, Saman Deepika, Rekha Edirisinghe and Kahandawela as a PTI instructress while at the Army.
Presently employed at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority as a receptionist Nandani first represented Sri Lanka at the 2008 Asian Masters Athletic championship held in Thailand winning a silver in the 400mts. and won two gold medals in the 4×100 and 4x200mts relays.
At the Kuala Lumpur Masters games in 2010 she won a bronze, and two silver medals in the 400mts. 400mts. Hurdles and in 2000mts steeplechase events respectively.
In 2012 Masters Games in Chinese Taipei this athlete from Mirigama went from strength to strength and was a member of the 4×100 and 4x400mts relay teams that won gold medals and a bronze medal in the 400mts.
Taking part in the 18th Asian Masters meet in Japan Nandani finished third in the 2000mts steeplechase with a time of 11.46.59 winning a bronze medal.
Continuing her good work and in the recently concluded 19th Masters held at the Singapore National Stadium she won a gold in the 400mts. hurdles, a bronze in 4×100 and a silver in 4×400 relay events.
The wide experience and knowledge she gained in competing at international athletic meets in India, Thailand, China, Brunai, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore will be given without any hesitation to anyone or to any athletic body who seek the services of this veteran athlete.