Shiny Wilson, a name synonymous with Indian athletics, has been nominated as a member of the Asian Athletic Commission. This nomination marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career, adding another feather to her cap.
Born in Kerala, India, Shiny Wilson’s journey in athletics began at a young age. She emerged as the national champion in the 800 meters in 1981, marking the beginning of a career that would span over a decade and leave an indelible mark on Indian athletics.
Shiny Wilson’s career coincided with that of PT Usha, another stalwart of Indian athletics. Together, they formed a formidable duo, representing India in numerous international competitions. Shiny Wilson represented India in more than 75 instances in international competitions.
In the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, Shiny secured a silver medal in women’s 400m, finishing behind PT Usha. The duo, along with MD Valsamma and Vandana Rao, clinched the gold medal in the women’s 4x400m relay. In the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Shiny clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 800m event. Furthermore, Usha, Shiny, G. V. Dhanalakshmi, and Kutty Saramma bagged the silver medal in the women’s 4x400m relay.
Shiny Wilson’s achievements extend beyond the Asian Games. She represented India in the Olympics on four occasions – 1984 Los Angeles, 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, and 1996 Atalanta. In the 1992 edition, she became the first Indian woman to be the flagbearer for the Indian contingent.
Her contributions to athletics have been recognized with several awards. She was bestowed with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 1985, while she was honoured with Padma Shri in 1998. Moreover, she was presented with the Chinese Journalists Award in 1991 for being one of the top 10 athletes in Asia.
The Asian Athletic Commission’s decision to nominate Shiny Wilson as a member reflects her contributions to athletics. The nomination was announced at a virtual meeting conducted by the Chairman of the Commission Mohd. Suleiman (Qatar) and attended by the president of the Asian Athletics Association Dahalan Jaman B. Al-Hamad (Qatar), Asian Athletics Association Competition Director C. K. Valson (India), and Secretary General of Asian Athletics Association A. Shuggumarran (Singapore).
Shiny Wilson’s nomination to the Asian Athletic Commission is a significant achievement, not just for her, but for Indian athletics as a whole. As she embarks on this new journey, her experience and insights will undoubtedly prove invaluable to the Asian Athletic Commission. Her appointment is for a period of four years (2024-2028).
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