Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha

Awards & Achievements

• Represented India at the Moscow Olympics in 1980
• Silver medals in 100m and 200m at the 1982 Asian Games, held in New Delhi
• Clinched a gold medal at the Asian Track and Field Championship (ATF) in 1983 
• 13 gold medals at the ATF meets, held in between 1983-89
• Five gold medals at the Asian track and field Championship of 1985 (record)
• Entitled as the "Greatest Woman Athlete" at the Jakarta Asian Athlete meet, held in 1985
• Conferred with Indian sports honour "Arjuna Award" by the Government of India and the Indian civilian award "Padma Shri" in 1984
• Bestowed with the "Adidas Golden Shoe Award" at the Seoul Asian Games of 1986
• Twice won the World Trophy for the best athlete: in 1985 and 1986
• One silver medal and four gold medals at the 10th Asian Games, held in 1986
• Silver medals in 400m and 4x100m relay at the Asian Games of 1990
• Silver medal in 4x400m relay at the Asian Games of 1994
• Bagged a gold medal in 4x100m relay at the Asian Athletics Championship in 1998
• Received the "Best Athlete in Asia Award" five times in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989

Fondly known as the "Golden Girl" as well as "Payyoli Express", P.T. Usha is amongst India's most successful athletes. The lady with alacrity has ruled the running track for almost two decades, adding numerous accolades to her name and becoming an inspiration for every girl all around the globe. Usha has blown various competitions away. She has won a total of 30 international awards and 13 gold medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships through her supersonic speed. The journey that started in 1979, led this Indian girl to the peak of success, making her a living legend.

Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha was born on 27th June 1964 in a low-income family at Payyoli village (near Calicut) Kerala. During childhood, Usha faced poverty and illness that made her stronger. She showed deep interest in sports during her teenage, after receiving a scholarship of Rs. 250 from the Government of Kerala. After that, Usha made her way to a sports school at Cannanore (Kannur). The girl with pace debuted her career by participating at the National School Games where she gained the attention of the athletic coach O.M. Nambiar through her performance. The event proved to be a revolutionizing phase as she found the right guidance for her talent. After getting prepared for the big move, Usha participated at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 as the first Indian woman to compete in the Olympics. She then clinched a silver medal at the Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1982. Post that feat, Usha never turned back.

P.T. Usha reached the peak of her success in the year 1985, earning five gold medals in 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay and a bronze medal in 4x100m relay at the Asian meet, held in Jakarta.  At the Los Angeles Olympics, she was very close to clinch the bronze medal but failed to secure the same rank by 1/100th of a second which was a heartbreaking moment for her as well as for her admirers.

She was back with a bang, grabbing four gold medals and one silver medal at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and earned the title of Asia’s "Sprint Queen". In 1998, her team had set a national record in 4x100m relay clocking 44.43 seconds, a record that still holds as of 2017. Usha has started an athletic school at koyilandy, Kerala to train and encourage girls in athletics. Indeed, she is the queen of Track & Field and will always reign the heart of her followers as a "Queen". 

Credits: YouTube