Winning habit

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Medals are not new to India’s sprint queen, P. T. Usha. However, the medals she won the first time have always been something she cherishes.

“Thinking about the medals, especially gold medals that I won for the first time, usually brings about a positive energy in me. The joy of winning one’s first medals and the support I received in some of the events abroad are unforgettable,” says Usha.

“The first gold medal I won was in the sub-district athletic meet in the year 1975. It was a triple joy for me as I won first place in 100 m, 200 m and the long jump. I was in class seven at that time,” she reminisced.

The next gold hunt was at the State athletic meet held in 1978 in Kottayam. “I was the champion in the meet and won several gold medals in the under-14 category. The events I won gold in were plenty including the 100 m, 200 m and the long jump. I also won a gold medal in the shot put event.”

The first National Games gold happened one year later in the National School meet held in Kollam. “I won in the hurdles, relay and other sprint events. It was a major breakthrough in my career. In 1980, I went to take part in the Olympics held in Moscow. I was just 16 at that time,” she said.

“The first international gold medal followed the same year at the Karachi International meet where I bagged gold in 100 m, 200 m and in the relay events.

Apart from these, was my performance in the Asian Games in 1986 where India rallied from fourteenth place to fourth place because of my gold medals. I received thunderous applause from the home crowd in Seoul and this is one of the most memorable moments in my life,” said Usha.