Ashwini Nachappa is a well known Indian athlete from Karnataka who became popular as the glory girl of Indian female sprinting in the early 80`s having beaten P.T. Usha. There were many great moments in her life, with regards to her achievements. Nachappa gained popularity during the 1980s after she outran P.T. Usha on two distinct events. Ashwini Nachappa received the esteemed Arjuna award in the year 1990. She has also been featured in some Telugu or Tollywood movies. Ashwini Nachappa is also renowned social worker and scholar and has also established a school.

Early Life of Ashwini Nachappa
Ashwini Nachappa was a Kannadian born on 21st October 1967. Her family shifted from Kolkata to Banglore. She along with her sister Pushpa received training under Mohender Singh Gill. She is referred to as the Indian FloJo.

Career of Ashwini Nachappa
There have been many memorable incidents in Ashwini Nachappa`s athletic career. The first great moment was in the first All India Open Nationals when she won the first gold for the state and the then chief minister Gundu Rao presented her a cash award of Rs.1000. In the Mangalore Nationals, Anand Shetty and she had emerged the `fastest man and woman` and she ran the 400 metres for the very first time finishing behind P.T. Usha, Shiny Wilson, Vandana Shanbhag and Valsamma. The selection to the 1988 Olympic trials in Bangalore and being part of the Indian team to Seoul for the main event was Ashwini`s biggest moment.

Ashwini Nachappa`s twin wins over Payyoli Express P. T. Usha catapulted her to a household name in India. The first time, at the Open Nationals in New Delhi `91, when she had won over P.T.Usha, in the 400 metres, every one called it a fluke. But, then she came back strongly two weeks later in an international invitation permit meet, also in New Delhi, and finished behind a Russian, pushing Usha to the third spot. Due to some injuries Ashwini had to opt out of the trials of the Barcelona Olympics. Later she opted out as sportswomen.

Other Activities of Ashwini Nachappa
Ashwini Nachappa currently runs her own institution Karumbhaiah`s Academy in the name of her husband Datta Karumbhaiah. He was a junior football player. Ashwini established the institution in June 2004 and had decided upon adding five disciplines to the sports academy. They included athletics, hockey, swimming, tennis and badminton. Her two daughters Anisha and Deepali are also actively interested in sports.

Apart from sports Ashwini has also worked in the South Tollywood Films and won acclamations for her acting skills. An Olympian athlete, educationist, actress, and social worker, Ashwini Nachappa won the prestigious Arjuna Award in June 1990.