C. Kunalan Explained

C. Kunalan
Fullname:Canagasabai Kunalan
Nationality:Singapore
Birth Date:23 October 1942
Birth Place:Singapore
Sport:Athletics
Coach:Tan Eng Yoon
Yap Boon Chuan
Yearsactive:1963–1979
Retired:1979
Show-Medals:yes

Canagasabai Kunalan (born 23 October 1942), known as C. Kunalan,[1] is a retired Singaporean sprinter, relay runner, former footballer and educator, widely regarded as one of Singapore's greatest ever athletes.[2] [3] Named Sportsman of the Year in both 1968 and 1969,[4] his feat of 10.38 seconds in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games 100 metres was a national record that stood for 33 years.[5] [6] [7]

Career

Runner

Kunalan first came into running in 1963, at the age of 20. Formerly a football player, Kunalan switched to running when his PE teacher commended him for his fast-moving legs after noticing him running while chasing the ball.[8] He participated in the 1964 Summer Olympics as part of the Malaysian 4 × 100 m relay team with Malaysian sprint legend Mani Jegathesan, and subsequently represented Singapore after it left the federation.

Kunalan has participated in two Olympic Games (Tokyo, 1964 and Mexico City, 1968)[9] and has earned five Asian Games and fifteen Southeast Asian Peninsular Games medals.[10]

He had to retire in 1979 due to a heel injury.

Educator

C Kunalan taught six years in Tiong Bahru Primary School and thirteen years in Dunearn Secondary Technical School before joining the National Institute of Education in 1980.[1] [11] Kunalan became an assistant professor there.[12] He specialized in functional anatomy and exercise physiology, and conducted practical classes in fitness and conditioning. Kunalan left the institute in 2010.[13]

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2015 as part of the National Day Awards.

Singapore Athletic Association

He also serves as Vice Principal (Training and Selection) with the Singapore Athletic Association.[14] [15]

SYOGOC

Kunalan was one of the 23 members of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).[16]

Personal life

Kunalan is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [17]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Tribute to The Fastest Man in 100m for 33 years . Dunearn Tech . 31 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140825014638/http://www.dunearntech.com/ckunalan.htm . 25 August 2014 .
  2. Web site: 31 years of sporting heroes . . 31 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090724094541/http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/neatstuff/lifestyle/sports.html . 24 July 2009 .
  3. Web site: Singapore's 50 greatest athletes . Get For Me . 31 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120104115254/http://www.getforme.com/50%20greatest%20athletes.htm . 4 January 2012 .
  4. Web site: Hall of Fame: C Kunalan . SSC Sports Museum . 30 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111128065236/http://www.sportsmuseum.com.sg/heroes/hall_of_fame/c_kunalan.html . 28 November 2011 .
  5. Book: Ministry of Education Singapore . Ministry of Education Singapore . Love Matters: An Anthology of Poems and Short Stories . Armour Publishing . Singapore City .
  6. Web site: Canagasabai Kunalan . Singapore Olympics . 30 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120918174120/http://www.singaporeolympics.com/p_canagasabai_kunalan.php . 18 September 2012 .
  7. Book: Chronicle of Singapore, 1959-2009: Fifty Years of Headline News . Peter H. L. Lim . Singapore City . Editions Didier Millet . 2009 .
  8. News: Local hero: C Kunalan, 72, retired athlete . 27 July 2012 . Ashika . Wong . Time Out Singapore . 30 October 2012 .
  9. Web site: CANAGASABAI KUNALAN . 14 November 2018 .
  10. News: Another medal for track star and teacher Kunalan . The Straits Times . 10 August 2015 . 14 November 2018 .
  11. Web site: Mr. C. Kunalan . Woodlands Secondary School . 31 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110429033429/http://www.woodlandssec.edu.sg/2009_AYG_C_Kunalan.htm . 29 April 2011 .
  12. Web site: Service . . 30 October 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20121224184452/http://www.ntu.edu.sg/Nanyang-Awards/Recipients/Pages/2007_Service.aspx . 24 December 2012 .
  13. News: If I can do it, you can do even better . Alicia . Wong . . 12 September 2011 . 31 October 2012 .
  14. Web site: C Kunalan: Track Legend, Father of Three . Dads For Life . 31 October 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20130418104755/http://dadsforlife.sg/dads-stories/c-kunalan-track-legend-father-of-three . 18 April 2013 .
  15. Web site: SAA Annual General Meeting 2012 . Singapore Athletics Association . 29 June 2012 . 31 October 2012 .
  16. Web site: Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) board members . 12 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080409022025/http://www.singapore2010.sg/media/annex_a_240308.doc . 9 April 2008 . dead .
  17. Book: 1998 . Deseret News 1999-2000 Church Almanac . . 555 . Salt Lake City, UT . 1573454915 .

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