P.T. Usha, the golden girl of Indian athletics and payyoli express is one of the most recognisable athletes to have come out of India. It is a tale woven into the fabric of brilliance, perseverance and an everlasting love for sport that has shaped the very essence of Indian sports.
Hailing from the quaint village of Payyoli, Kerala, Usha showed signs of natural speed and endurance when she was a child. Coming from humble beginnings, she dipped her toes into athletics with barebones resources but plenty of passion. Almost immediately her talent drew the attention of coaches and by 16 she was competing at the 1980 Moscow Olympics — albeit as a minor competitor.
Usha became a formidable presence in Indian athletics over the years and went on to clinch medals in 100m, 200m, and 400m events at the Asian Games and Championships. It was difficult to imagine anything standing in her way, but bittersweet heartbreak lay ahead on one of the sports’ largest stages: the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Even finishing the 400m hurdles a fantastic 4th, she was just 1/100th off the bronze medal. When this close call happened, it marked a painful chapter in her career while also establishing her as an icon of endurance and synchronicity.
Usha maintained her determination despite the challenges. Then she came back and kept winning golds and breaking records throughout Asia. As her achievements sparked generations of future Indian athletes and she was widely recognized, it was by no means easy. Juggling performance pressures, injuries and lack of support; Johan endured many personal struggles as a professional athlete. Despite everything, Usha never lost heart as she was determined to realise her dreams and serve her nation.
Today, Usha inspires young athletes at her training academy. Hits and misses aside, her life story is one for the ages—the type that most fans can relate to—and it tells us a thing or two about role forms, the power of perseverance, grit and she works like a rebel submitting only to herself. For everyone who is facing obstacles in their way P. T. Usha makes her journey more than an athletic journey and shows us that setbacks are but stepping stones to greatness