From jogging alongside her father for fun as a kid to a gold medallist in the junior SAF athletic championship, S.Archana has come a long way. The 19 year-old Tamil Nadu girl struck gold twice -in the 100m and 200m -in Ranchi.
Archana became the sprint queen of the SAF champi onship by winning the blue ribbon event in 12.06 seconds and the 200m in 24.32s. In addition to her gilt-edged performance in the Jharkhand capi tal, the TN girl also set meet records in both events.
Archana did start her athletic career in sprint before switching to sin gle lap and two-lap races.
“When I was young, my focus was on the 100m. My father Suseendran, who is my friend, philosopher and guide, advised me to take up the 400m and 800m. From seventh standard to ninth, I was running the longer dis tances,“ she said.
“I felt that the 400m and 800m were too demanding. I wasn't strong enough to cope with the work load. I realised that my heart was with the sprint. I told my dad about my preference and I was soon back doing what I liked,“ Archana said.
According to the Madurai girl, she has always done well at the Ranchi turf. “In 2011 I won the 200m gold at the same venue in the junior nationals.
It helped me qualify for the Youth Commonwealth Games and the Youth world champi onship the same year,“ added Archana, who also bagged silver in the 4x100m in the Ranchi meet earlier this month. “The hard track in Ranchi aids sprinters.“
The second year B.E. Civil Engineering student at Anna University is grateful for the support of her coach M. Riaz. “I owe a lot to my coach. I have been working with him for nearly two years.
His specific workouts have always been useful for me,“ she said.
Archana has now set her sights on the junior nationals. Doing well at the Asian Games next year is a big dream for her.
Riaz was thrilled with his ward's achievement. “Winning two gold medals with meet records to boot is phenomenal,“ he said. Riaz, who has seen many an athlete over the past two decades as coach, was bullish about Archana's future. “She is highly talented and a powerful sprinter.
She is willing to put in the hard yards. So far she has done a great job,“ he added.
The 44-year-old honorary coach of Anna University attributes Archana's success to her quick grasping capacity . “I have always felt that she has the brains to go with her brawn. Her ability to adapt to different conditions is impressive. She has the potential to reach the next level,“ he said.
