Mercy Kuttan

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Mercy Kuttan
Mercy kuttan1.jpg
Mercy Kuttan
Personal information
Full nameMercy Matthews-Kuttan
Nationality Indian
Born (1960-01-01) 1 January 1960 (age 65)
Kerala, India
Sport
CountryIndia
Sport Track and field
Event(s) 400 metres, Long jump
Medal record
Women's Athletics
Representing Flag of India.svg  India
Asian Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1982 New Delhi Long jump
Asian Athletics Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1989 New Delhi 4×400 m
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1981 Tokyo Long jump
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg1981 Tokyo4×400 m

Mercy Kuttan (born 1 January 1960) is a former Indian track and field athlete. She was the first Indian woman long jumper to cross six meters. [1] In 1989, Mercy received Arjuna Award for her contribution to the Indian athletics. [2] [3]

Contents

Career

Mercy was born in Kerala; her first international success came in 1981 Asian Championships in Athletics when she won the double bronze in the long jump and 4 x 400 metres relay. In the next year at 1982 Asian Games when she won a silver medal in the long jump. [4] She represented India in long jump at 1983 World Championships in Athletics, but did not qualify for the final round. [5] Mercy has the distinction of being the first woman from Kerala to win a medal in the Asian Track and Field meet. [4] Her personal best in long jump is 6.29 m.[ citation needed ] In the latter stage of her career she switched to sprint and started competing in 400 metres. She competed in 400 metres at 1988 Seoul Olympics and managed to reach the second round. [6]

Personal life

Mercy is married to Murali Kuttan, a former 400 metres national champion and is the mother of two sons, Suraj Kuttan and Sujith Kuttan. Mercy and Murali were the first Indian athletic couple to be national champions and win Asian medals. [7] Murlai took the role of the coach and had influenced Mercy to shift from long jump to 400 metres. Both Mercy and Murali worked for Tata Steel, Jamshedpur. They are currently[ when? ] running the "Mercy Kuttan Athletics Academy" in Kochi. [8]

Achievements

National Level
International Level
Other distinctions

References

  1. 1 2 "No 'Mercy' when it comes to hard work". The Hindu . 10 June 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  2. "Arjuna Awardees". 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  3. "Kerala State Sports Council". Kerala State Sports Council. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Mercy Kuttan Athletic Academy launched". Deccan Herald. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  5. "Past Results - 1st IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki". International Association of Athletics Federations. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  6. "India at the Games". Sportstar. 2 August 2008.
  7. "Right on Track". The Hindu . Thiruvananthapuram. 22 August 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  8. "Sports hostel status for Mercy Kuttan's academy". The Hindu . 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.