Rio Olympics is about to start and with it the buzz of the sports stars who would be participating this time. But when we talk about Olympics, doesn’t the name of P.T Usha come in your mind? The first non cricket sports icon of India who went to the Olympics and made us proud. She is today a star forgotten.
Recently, she was in the news when she turned 52, but where is she now? What made her the champion that stayed in our memories all these years? Here’re some facts about the legendary woman P. T Usha that was lost in time.
Her name
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Her full name is Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha and she was a Kerallite. She was born in Payyoli district of Kerala.
Payyoli express
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She was so good on the tracks that she went on to become the ‘Queen of Indian track and field’. Some of the sports experts started calling her Payyoli express.
Her name in making
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It was her coach O.M. Nambiar who spotted the talent in young P.T. Usha during National Sports Game of 1979. Interestingly he remained her mentor for rest of her career.
Record holder all the way
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She was already a record holder even before running in the Olympics and had made a national record in 1977 at the state athletic meet.
Sports school
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It was her sheer dedication that had got her a place in a sports school in Kannur. Being from a poor economic background, she used to earn Rs. 250 as monthly scholarship during her days at the sports school.
Youngest Sprinter
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At the age of 16, she became the youngest Indian sprinter to run in an Olympic during the Moscow Olympics of 1980.
Medal winner
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She was the winner of Silver in both 100 and 200 meters during Asiad Games 1982.
Too narrow a miss
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During the 1984 Olympics, she lost the Bronze in 400 meters hurdles by just 1/100th of a second.
First Indian woman in the Olympics
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She became the first Indian woman to reach to the finals of an Olympic event.
Where is she now?
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Currently she trains young athletes in Kerala at her training academy.
Author: Anusheel
