Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, popularly known as PT Usha, is a retired Indian track and field athlete. The history of women sports in India dates to this Golden Girl in 1979. Born in the village of Payyoli, Kozhikode district, Kerala, Usha was first noticed in 1976 by OM Nambiar, an athletics coach in a prize distribution ceremony. Her coaching as a sprinter began that very year. The ‘Golden Girl’ had always been a quick learner, so despite being a novice in sprinting she took a lead in 1978 inter-state sports meet for juniors.
Usha, throughout her career, had been a breaker of records, the era of which started in 1981 senior inter-state meet in Bangalore. The lady made in debut as an Olympian in 1980 Moscow Olympic games but could not live up with the expectations of many. She, nevertheless, made a comeback as a successful Olympian in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, bagging 4th and 7th position in 100mt and 200mt respectively.
From 1983 till the end of her career as a sprinter in 2000, “The Express” grabbed 101 international medals, bringing laurels to the nation. The golden girl has been honored with many prestigious awards like Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 1984, Best Athlete Award in Asia in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989 and much more.
The lady with the golden shoe is a lady of honor, for she became the first woman in India to reach Olympics. She, despite all her achievements, has always been gentle and true, for that she once quoted-
“I never wanted to be an Olympian. All I wanted was to keep breaking my own record. I never competed to defeat anybody.”
Since her debutante in 1976 as a sprinter, P T Usha has won many medals, surpassed many of the records and became the most sought women athlete in India. With the fierceness of a lion, this iron lady laid the firm pillar of women sports and not just athletics in India. She now works as an Officer in Southern Railways. Currently, she coaches young athletes at her training academy in Kerala, including Tintu Lukka, who qualified for the women's semi-final 800m at the London 2012 Olympics.
‘The Payyoli Express’ is someone who has inspired many across the globe to come forward, live their dreams of sports. She truly is the ‘Mother of Women Sports in India’ and no amount of lavish appreciation or sugar-coated words can truly depict our respect for her. We as the natives of her land are obliged to imbibe her fierceness in ourselves and continue to strive forward towards our goals.
Usha, throughout her career, had been a breaker of records, the era of which started in 1981 senior inter-state meet in Bangalore. The lady made in debut as an Olympian in 1980 Moscow Olympic games but could not live up with the expectations of many. She, nevertheless, made a comeback as a successful Olympian in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, bagging 4th and 7th position in 100mt and 200mt respectively.
From 1983 till the end of her career as a sprinter in 2000, “The Express” grabbed 101 international medals, bringing laurels to the nation. The golden girl has been honored with many prestigious awards like Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 1984, Best Athlete Award in Asia in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989 and much more.
The lady with the golden shoe is a lady of honor, for she became the first woman in India to reach Olympics. She, despite all her achievements, has always been gentle and true, for that she once quoted-
“I never wanted to be an Olympian. All I wanted was to keep breaking my own record. I never competed to defeat anybody.”
Since her debutante in 1976 as a sprinter, P T Usha has won many medals, surpassed many of the records and became the most sought women athlete in India. With the fierceness of a lion, this iron lady laid the firm pillar of women sports and not just athletics in India. She now works as an Officer in Southern Railways. Currently, she coaches young athletes at her training academy in Kerala, including Tintu Lukka, who qualified for the women's semi-final 800m at the London 2012 Olympics.
‘The Payyoli Express’ is someone who has inspired many across the globe to come forward, live their dreams of sports. She truly is the ‘Mother of Women Sports in India’ and no amount of lavish appreciation or sugar-coated words can truly depict our respect for her. We as the natives of her land are obliged to imbibe her fierceness in ourselves and continue to strive forward towards our goals.
