Shiny Wilson Biography 
Shiny Wilson, also known as Shiny Abraham is a former athlete from India. She has been a National Champion in 800 metres for 14 years. This retired athlete has represented India above 75 times in international competitions. She has also represented India in four Asia Cups. After P. T. Usha, she is the most successful woman athlete from India. She is the only athlete to take part in six Asian Track & Field Meets and she participated from India for the first time in 1985. Including seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals in the Asiad competitions, she collected a total or 18 gold and two silver medals from the seven SAF meets in which she has participated. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games she became the first woman from India to enter the semi-final of an Olympic event. In 1992 Barcelona Olympics, she became the first woman to be the flag bearer for India at the Olympics.
Shiny belongs to Idukki district of Kerala. She was born in Thodupuzha 8 May 1965. As a child she was interested in athletics and later joined sports division at Kottayam to receive training. In fact, three shining female stars of Indian athletics - Shiny, PT Usha and M D Valsamma studied at the same sports division though at various parts of the state. All the three were coached by the NIS coach P. J. Devesla. Shiny Abraham's athletics career ran alongside that of PT Usha and both of them have together represented India in Asiad and have won relay races together. She was 800 metres National champion before joining Asiad. She has participated in 4 Olympics and 3 Asian Games before she retired.
In 1989 Asian Track & Field Meet at Delhi, she finished second behind Sun Sumei of China in 800 metre race. But later she was announced the winner as Sun Sumei tested positive for doping. In 1984 4x400 relay games at Olympics Los Angeles, her team was able to reach the finals. She was also the captain of the Indian Contingent at the 1992 Games. She received the Arjuna award in 1984, Chinese journalist award in 1991 and Padma Sri in 1998. She is married to Arjana awardee international swimmer, Cherian Wilson.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 29, 2014
