Sixty and Indefatigable!

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, the 'Payyoli Express' is Kerala's greatest gift to Indian sports adn athletics. PT Usha is well past her prime and has touched her sixties but remains the same force of nature. For the coming generation in India, do we have anyone to point at, to draw inspiration from like our parents used to tell us about Usha?

Graced the Olympics and the Asian Games, but the legend is still tireless and on the run with the final preparations for the Paris Olympics as President of the Indian Olympic Association. This fire of enthusiasm has helped the legendary star to don the hat of a coach and take laurels in the form of administration works in the sports domain. Many erstwhile Indian sports stars are nowhere to be seen now while PT Usha is still rock-solid at the forefront, relishing in her duties to take Indian sports to newer heights.

Usha was born on June 27, 1964, at Payyoli in Kozhikode district as the second of the six children of Paithal and Lakshmi and had her primary education at Thrikottur School. The world would have missed knowing about this star if not for the prudent eyes of one teacher who spotted the rare talent of Usha and suggested she opt for GV Raja Sports Division School in Kannur. This led to the first meeting between Usha and her coach OM Nambiar, who later turned into a catalyst for all her success.

Usha, who ran from school level to national athletics, made her international debut by winning four gold medals at the invitational meet held in Pakistan in 1980. In 1980, sixteen-year-old Usha went to Moscow to become the youngest Indian to participate in Olympic athletics.

She won two silver medals in 100 and 200 meters at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Usha missed out on a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles by one-hundredth of a second. The bruise that the news brought remains a pain in many hearts. But the fact that no one has been able to break the national record of 55.42 seconds set by Usha in Los Angeles even after four decades adds to might and the unrivalled spirit.

Usha made history by bagging five gold and one bronze at the 1985 Asian Athletics Meet in Jakarta and won four gold medals at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games. Usha was one of the top ten athletes in world athletics in 1985 and 1986. After marriage, Usha returned to the track and retired in 2000.

Later she established the Usha School of Athletics, in Kozhikode and nurtured many athletes. Tintu Luka and many other Asian games medalists towered the glory of Usha School of athletics at the international level. Nominated as a Rajya Sabha MP in 2022, Usha was also elected as the President of the Indian Olympic Association. It was during Usha's presidency that India won over 100 medals for the first time in the Asian Games.

Usha is now spearheading the Indian team's preparations for the Paris Olympics. India won seven medals including Neeraj Chopra's gold in the last Olympics. This time the goal is to double the medals. Nobody can fill the shoes of Usha when it comes to giving proper guidance and rigorous training. The Payyoli Express is the best fit to help India taste big success in the coming Olympics. Usha will look to avenge the loss of Los Angeles by nurturing many talents and helping India see its best-ever Olympics performance. Wishing the legendary star, a happy birthday.