Wayanad: A nun whizzing past the hurdles with her tunic billowing in the air made for an arresting visual at the State Masters Athletics Championship held at Maravayal here on Wednesday. Sr Sabeena (56), a former state champion of the 100m hurdles at school and inter-varsity athletic competitions, bagged first place in the race.

A Physical Education teacher at the AUP School, Dwaraka, Mananthavadi, it was her long-cherished wish to perform her favourite event once again before retiring from service this year. Though her spirit proved that she was young at heart for the race, she fainted after the competition and had to be hospitalised for a few hours.

Basking in social media plaudits, she said it was her "God-given" chance to perform and excel in public, that too in the official habit of the Sisters of Adoration Congregation. "Since joining the Adoration Convent in 1993, I had never thought of participating in a competition. But this year, as I am retiring from service, I wished to give it a try," she said.

Initially hesitant about her health, she underwent some trials before attending the championship. On wearing the official dress, Sr.Sabeena said, "In public, members of the congregation must wear the official uniform. But the dress never posed any hindrance during the event. It was the support and my fellow sisters and the congregation that helped me," she added.

"I have been receiving calls from many people- relatives, friends, and old schoolmates- ever since the news went viral," Sr Sabeena said. "In each step, God was with me, and the victory belongs to him", she said, adding that she missed participating in the 'hammer throw' competition.

Born to a farming family in Vellarikkund, Kasaragod district, she was attracted to sports since childhood. A former state champion in hurdles, she had also participated in the national-level athletics meets. She honed her skills at the Government Higher Secondary School, Kannur, under the Kannur Sports Division Academy.

She underwent intensive training in various events, including athletics, basketball, volleyball, and taekwondo. After completing her PlusTwo, she secured admission to Mercy College Palakkad under the sports quota, where she continued to excel in hurdles at inter-university championships.

In the last lap of her service as a Physical Education teacher, she is happy and contented. "Many of my students have secured jobs in KSEB, the police department, and many other services through sports," she said proudly, adding that one of her students even made it to the Indian team.

She also trained students in Boxing, Taekwondo, and Shuttle Badminton at various schools. State Education Minister V Sivankutty said that her feat was a moment of pride for the education department itself.