Reeth Devaiah (Ballachanda)

KReeth Devaiah (Thamane-Ballachanda) one of the famous Kodava sportsperson is an athlete born in Mysore, India and former South Asian Games champion in long jump and 100 meters hurdles and the former national champion in heptathlon. She is one of the most prominent athletes to have represented India.

Family

Father

Ballachanda Devaiah

Children

Shilka

Shamir

Education

She did her schooling from Christ the king Convent Mysore and completed her graduation from Maharani’s college Bangalore.

Career

Her career as an athlete stretched between 1976 and 1992. She took part in events as a part of the Karnataka state team and she also represented the national side for India, setting records all along the way. Her dedication and commitment during her successful run was stunning, and she set her standards high making her an ideal role model for young and aspiring athletes in the country. The level of dedication got her to win the national championship, just 10 months later after she had given birth to her baby. She also broke the national record at the South Asian Games, as a mother. All her achievements were the result of her dedication, application and sense of discipline.

Achievements

National Events

• At national level championships, she won 16 Gold and 11 Silver medals.
• she won the numerous medals in the heptathlon from 1983 to 1987 (except the year 1985)
• She took to 100 meters hurdles and long jump after 1988 and went on to excel in them at the national level.
• She holds to her credit of being a national champion in three events namely heptathlon, 100 meters hurdles and long jump and achieving national records in the long jump and heptathlon.
• Her best achievement was as a mother when she won a national championship within 10 months of giving birth.

International  Events

• She participated in two Asian Games, three Asian Track & Field Championships and two South Asian Games. she won 3 Gold and 1 Silver at the South Asian Games in 1989 (Islamabad) and 1991 (Colombo) in long jump and 100 meter hurdles
• She also held the South Asian games record in long jump.
• She is also the first Indian mother to break a national record and the South Asian Games record.
• She also holds to her credit being the first Asian woman to win an Asian medal in an Individual event as a mother.
• She is an active athlete and competes regularly in the World Masters Athletics Championships meant for athletes over 35 years.
• In 2003, at Carolina, Puerto Rico she won the bronze medal in the Long Jump in the W40 category.
• In 2011, at Sacramento, She won the silver medal for Long jump and the silver medal for Triple jump in the W45 category.
• In 2011, at Port Alegre, she won the bronze medel for Long jump in the W50 category.
• She along with Sunil Abraham started the “SURE” athletic initiative in 1983. It was an organization to coach, support and promote budding athletes.
• She is very active in promoting fitness among people and active lifestyles. She actively promotes various running events and Marathons in India.
• She is one of the coaches at the Nike Run Club in Bangalore which is an initiative to encourage ordinary people to take up running.

 Awards

• Rajyotsava Award in 1983
• Dasara Award in 1990
• Arjuna Award in 1997
• Indian Banks Association Award for outstanding Achievements in 1999
• Rotary Award for contribution to Athletics in 1999
• Lions Award for contribution to Athletics in 1999
• Won a Gold Medal in Triple Jump at the world Master’s athletic Championships 2018 in Spain