Janet Jesudason
IHFS – Excellence Award For First Indian Female
Olympian
Janet Jesudason is celebrated as a pioneering athlete who made a significant mark in Singapore’s sports history by representing the nation at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Her journey began in Perak, Malaya, where she was born to an Indian father and a Chinese mother. In 1950, her family moved to Singapore when her father took up a teaching position at Raffles Institution.
Janet’s athletic talent emerged early; she was selected by her school, Katong Convent, to participate in inter-school athletic meets at just 16 years old, earning the nickname “Speedy Gonzales” from her classmates. Her notable accomplishments include running the anchor leg for the 4×100 relay team at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, which set a new record of 55.1 seconds in 1954. The following year, at the first secondary schools athletics meet, she broke a long-standing record held by Olympic sprinter Tang Pui Wah in the 100-yard race, clocking an impressive 12.1 seconds.
In 1956, after qualifying for the Olympics with a time of 12.5 seconds in the 100- meter sprint during Singapore’s Olympic trials, Janet joined fellow athlete Mary Klass in the Singapore contingent. Although she finished fifth in her heats at the Olympics, Janet found inspiration in the words of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Olympic Games: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part… the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
Following her Olympic appearance, Janet continued to achieve success, contributing to Singapore’s 4×100 relay team that won gold at the 1957 Merdeka Games with a time of 52.1 seconds. After deciding to retire from competitive athletics, she pursued a career in education, teaching in various countries, including England, France, and the United States.
In the 1980s, Janet returned to Singapore where she trained as a docent at the Singapore National Museum. She later relocated to Australia, where she embraced nature through long walks and swimming. Janet also became a certified yoga teacher and completed a two-year training certification in Vedic chanting in Chennai, India. She now shares her passion and knowledge of yoga and meditation with private students and participates in events such as the Australian Yoga Therapy Conference.
Janet’s reflections on athletics emphasize the positive aspects of discipline, commitment, and the joy of competition, highlighting a deep appreciation for the experiences and connections formed through sports. Her journey not only showcases her athletic accomplishments but also her ongoing dedication to personal growth and the well-being of others, making her an influential figure in both athletics and holistic health.
” On her love of athletics, Janet told to the Finishing Line: “I liked the discipline, the commitment, the training, the sweat, the accelerated heartbeat and the sheer exhilaration of competition, the general sense of well-being and the camaraderie of fellow athletes.”