Who is the fastest woman athlete in India describe?

P.T. Usha, also known as Payyoli Tevaraparampil Usha, is widely regarded as the fastest woman athlete in India. She has earned several titles and accolades throughout her career and is considered a trailblazer in Indian athletics. This article will provide an overview of P.T. Usha's life, career, and achievements.

Early Life and Career

P.T. Usha was born on June 27, 1964, in Payyoli, Kerala. She was the fifth of seven children, and her parents were both farmers. From a young age, Usha showed a natural talent for athletics, often competing with her siblings and friends in running and other sports.

At the age of 14, Usha joined the sports hostel in Kannur, Kerala, where she received professional coaching and training. Her natural talent quickly became apparent, and she began competing in national-level athletics competitions. In 1980, Usha won her first national title in the 100m hurdles at the National School Games.

Usha's breakthrough came in the 1982 Asian Games held in Delhi, where she won a silver medal in the 100m hurdles and a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay. She followed this up with a gold medal in the 200m at the Asian Athletics Championships in Kuwait the same year.

International Success

Usha's greatest achievements came in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.42 seconds. She also competed in the 100m and 200m events, reaching the semi-finals in both.

Despite missing out on a medal, Usha's performance in the Olympics was nothing short of exceptional, and she became a national hero. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1984, India's highest sporting award, and was also named the Best Athlete of the Year by the Indian government.

Usha continued to dominate at the Asian level, winning five gold medals and one silver medal at the 1985 Asian Track and Field Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. She also won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in athletics at the Asian Games.

Usha's final major international competition was the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where she narrowly missed out on a medal once again, finishing fifth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.54 seconds. She retired from competitive athletics in 1991 at the age of 27.

Legacy and Impact

P.T. Usha's impact on Indian athletics is immeasurable. She paved the way for future generations of Indian athletes and inspired countless young girls to take up sports. She is also credited with raising the profile of athletics in India and making it a more mainstream sport.

Usha's achievements have earned her several awards and honours, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India's highest civilian awards. In 2018, she was named the recipient of the prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Veteran Pin for her contribution to athletics.

In addition to her sporting achievements, Usha is also known for her philanthropic work. She founded the Usha School of Athletics in 2002, which provides training and coaching to young athletes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The school has produced several promising athletes, including Tintu Luka, a former Olympian.