April 23, 2024

The 100-meters sprint has been a breathtaking event of all the track events due to its intensity and fraction of seconds race. The current men's world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaica's Ussain Bolt in 2009, while the women's world record is 10.49 seconds set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

One needs real guts to select a 100-meter dash as a sporting event and among them is a girl from our region, Neole Anna Cornelio. If you ask anyone in the sprinting domain across India, her name will be at the top of the list. At just 19 years old, standing 5’ 3” achieved many medals for the state, Karnataka.

Indian athletes are growing in the field of sports and making it possible to win an Olympic medal. She has the ability and determination to succeed but needs our constant support and recognition to achieve her dream.

Neole Anna Cornelio was born in Dubai to Mrs. Flora Flavia Cornelio and Mr. Vijaya Nelson Cornelio. They belong to Santhekatte, Kallianpura, Mount Rosary Parish, near Udupi. She has a brother Nashley Cornelio, and the family currently resides in Bangalore, considering advanced coaching facilities. She is currently pursuing her degree in St Joseph University, Bangalore in journalism and psychology stream balancing her academic and athletic skills.

Besides the 100 mtrs sprint she also competes in 200 mtrs, and 4x100 meters relay. Under the age group of 14 years, she won 3 gold medals, 4 silver medals and one best athlete award in the 30th south zone junior athletics championships. Her best time in the Under 14 age category was in an event for Reliance Foundation 12.72 sec. She has received 6 best athlete awards in various state meet competitions. From the age of 13 to 19, she has represented Karnataka more than 15 times. Her recent achievement was in the 22nd National Junior (U20) Federation Athletics Championships, Lucknow. She grabbed the silver medal with the timing of 12.14 secs. Her personal best for the season is 11.89 in the 38th National junior Athletics Championships 2023 Coimbatore.

Malleshi Dhanawade discovered her talent and was her grass-root level coach. She is currently under Ms. Bindu Rani Gowda who is a level 2 AFI Affiliated coach and won many medals for India in the junior Asian Championship and the Asian athletes championship. Neole Anna Cornelio trains at Sri Kanteerava stadium under the club Bhaladama foundation.

Neole has set her eyes firmly on the Asian Games and wants to be one of the few Indian female athletes who clock less than 11 seconds. Her message to youth and budding sportsperson is that patience is the key. Nothing happens overnight. Dedication and daily practice with a long term plan is the key to success. She further adds that injury, pain, failures and frustration, are part and parcel of this sporting event but stay focused with a never give up attitude.

What prompted Neole to select the most competitive and sought-after event?

Her answer was the thrill and intensity of the race, which happens in just few seconds. It’s the sound of the gun for the subsequent start which lets her body do the job. Her role model is Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, one of the best sprinters in this generation.

She has a long list of medals and trophies and photo says it all. Neole Anna Cornelio aims to help the sports community by being a sports psychologist in the future. Right now she is practicing to qualify for under 20 World Athletes Championships in Peru, she needs to clock 11.70sec to qualify.

We wish her all the very best. May all her dreams come true and carry our country's name in 100 dash to the next level.