Nachappa represented India in three South Asian Federation Games in 1984 (in Nepal; two silver medals), 1986 (in Bangladesh; two silver medals) and 1988 (in Pakistan, three gold medals). She participated in two Asian Games, one held in 1986 at South Korea (6th in long jump) and the other in 1990 at Beijing, China (silver medal in 4 × 100 m relay). She also represented India in two World Championships, one in 1987 in Rome and the other in 1991 in Tokyo (she was a member of the 4 × 400 m relay on both occasions). She won the 200 m gold at the 1990 National Open Meet in New Delhi ahead of Usha, clocking 24.07 seconds.