Team Mangalorean - Madikeri
from Ashwini Appaiah

Madikeri: She has already conquered an essentially male domain by working as an autorickshaw driver in town. She also doubles as an employee of Morarji Desai Residential Science PU College. Besides, she is an accomplished athlete. That is Pandana Shailaja Monnappa for you, Shailaja in short.

She took part in the Karnataka Masters' Athletic Association-sponsored 32nd national masters' national athletic championship held in the Kantheerava stadium from June 4 to 7 and grabbed a big catch of medals.

Her tally included gold medals in 10,000 metres, 1,500 metres and 800 metres sprint and 4X100 metres relay and 4X400 metres relay and a bronze medal in 5,000 metres walk.

By virtue of these achievements at the national level, Shailaja has qualified herself to participate in the international masters' athletics meet to be soon held in Sri Lanka.