The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A sports icon, at 74

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A sports icon, at 74

Swahilya

Daisy Victor symbolises grit Daisy Victor symbolises grit, determination

AGE NO BAR: Veteran athlete Daisy Victor practising triple jump at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: She has been running since she was eight years old. This July, Daisy Victor will be 75, and "If God wills, I will continue to run," she says.

The veteran athlete symbolises grit, synonymous with the Indian woman. March 8, International Woman's Day, is an occasion to see what makes this 74-year-old continue to pursue her passion.

Born in Bellary, Ms. Daisy, who has participated in 15 International Masters Athletic Championships from 1981 to 2005, owes her athletic training to her father, who was an athlete, football and hockey player. "I used to run around my school compound. Now, I run everyday, rain or shine," she says with cheer. Her daily schedule includes an hour of running, jogging for 25 minutes, warming-up exercises, workouts, running around the track curves and practising for triple jumps.

With six children and 13 grandchildren, "who are all good at sports," she is now gearing herself up for the National Veterans Meet.

This sprinting grandmother teaches her grandchildren running exercises and, "We are proud to have a grandmother like you," is the commendation she gets from them in return."

With 60 medals including 33 golds in International Championships, 76 gold medals in 24 National Masters Championships and 124 golds in 38 State-level meets, she attributes her victory to God.

"I have no strength of my own. When my friends find it difficult to walk or travel by bus, I do not only walk but also compete in international meets. I cannot take credit for this, it is God who has given me strength to do this," she says.

What has running given her? "Well, despite diabetes and blood pressure running in the family, I do not have it and this is because of sports," she said.

In the ground near her home at Madhavaram, boys and girls come to her during summer to get coached for athletics.

Her running has taken her around the world. The strength behind her victory is her husband, Victor Sundararaj. "He is a pastor and always prays for me and gives me all the encouragement I need," she says.

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