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Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, commonly known as P.T. Usha, is one of India’s most celebrated female athletes in track and field. Born on June 27, 1964, in the small town of Payyoli in Calicut, Kerala.
P.T. Usha full name is Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha – journey from a poor household to becoming the “Queen of Indian Track & Field” is truly inspiring. Despite growing up in severe poverty and struggling with health issues, her extraordinary commitment to sports earned her the nickname “Payyoli Express.” This Biography explores the life, achievements, and contributions of P.T. Usha for India.
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P.T. Usha Biography – Early Life and Discovery
P.T. Usha, whose full name is Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, is one of India’s greatest athletes, often referred to as the “queen of track and field.” Born in the village of Kuttali in Kerala, Usha’s journey into athletics began at a young age. Her natural talent was discovered when she was just nine years old during a school race where she effortlessly defeated the school champion, who was three years her senior. This event astonished her teachers and earned her a place in one of the first batches of sport-oriented schools set up by the Kerala government.
| PT Usha Personal Details | Information |
| Full Name | Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha |
| Date of Birth | June 27, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Payyoli, Calicut, Kerala |
| Nickname | Payyoli Express |
| Birthplace | Kuttali, Kerala, India |
| Discovered At | Age 9 |
| Education | GVHSS (Sports) Kannur, Sport-oriented school in Payyoli, Kerala |
| Sports Career | Retired Indian track and field athlete |
| Years Active | 1976-2000 |
| Employer | Indian Railways |
| Spouse | V. Srinivasan |
| Awards | Arjuna Award for Athletics, Padma Shri |
| Children | Vignesh Ujjwal, Ujjwal Srinivasan |
| Books | Golden Girl: The Autobiography of P.T. Usha |
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P.T. Usha Biography – Athletic Achievements
P.T. Usha dominated Asian track-and-field events during the 1980s, winning a total of 23 medals, 14 of which were gold. Her performance at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was particularly notable, where she missed the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles by just one-hundredth of a second.
Despite this near miss, her effort brought her immense fame and made her a household name in India. She continued to shine in the Asian Championships and Asian Games, bringing home numerous medals and setting records.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event |
| 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Russia | 5th (heats) | 100 metres |
| 1982 | Asian Games | New Delhi, India | 2nd | 100 metres |
| 2nd | 200 metres | |||
| 1983 | Asian Championships | Kuwait City, Kuwait | 2nd | 200 metres |
| 1st | 400 metres | |||
| 1984 | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, USA | 4th | 400 metres hurdles |
| 7th | 4 × 400 m relay | |||
| 1985 | Asian Championships | Jakarta, Indonesia | 1st | 100 metres |
| 1st | 200 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 3rd | 4 × 100 m relay | |||
| 1st | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| World Cup | Canberra, Australia | 7th | 400 metres | |
| 5th | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 8th | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1986 | Asian Games | Seoul, South Korea | 2nd | 100 metres |
| 1st | 200 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 1st | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1987 | Asian Championships | Singapore | 2nd | 100 metres |
| 1st | 400 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 100 m relay | |||
| 1st | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| World Championships | Rome, Italy | DNS | 400 metres | |
| 6th (semifinal) | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 8th (heats) | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1988 | Olympic Games | Seoul, South Korea | 7th (heats) | 400-metre hurdles |
| 1989 | Asian Championships | New Delhi, India | 2nd | 100 metres |
| 1st | 200 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres | |||
| 1st | 400 metres hurdles | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 100 m relay | |||
| 1st | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1990 | Asian Games | Beijing, China | 4th | 200 metres |
| 2nd | 400 metres | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 100 m relay | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1994 | Asian Games | Hiroshima, Japan | 4th | 200 metres |
| 5th | 4 x 100 relay | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| 1998 | Asian Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | 3rd | 200 metres |
| 3rd | 400 metres | |||
| 1st | 4 x 100 m relay | |||
| 2nd | 4 x 400 m relay | |||
| Asian Games | Bangkok, Thailand | 6th | 400 metres | |
| 4th | 4 x 100 m relay |
P.T. Usha – Key Achievements
- 1984 Los Angeles Olympics: P.T. Usha delivered her greatest performance but faced heartbreak by missing the bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles by just 1/100th of a second.
- Asian Championships 1985: She won five gold medals and one bronze.
- Asian Games 1986: P.T. Usha secured four gold medals and one silver in Seoul, South Korea.
- National and International Medals: Between 1983 and 1989, she won 13 gold medals in various ATF competitions.
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P.T. Usha Biography – Post-Athletic Career
After her retirement in 1990, P.T. Usha continued to contribute to Indian sports. She founded the Usha School of Athletics in Kozhikode, Kerala, where she trains young athletes to achieve their full potential. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first woman and the first Olympian to be elected as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Retirement | 1990 |
| Usha School of Athletics | Founded to train young athletes in Kozhikode, Kerala |
| IOA President | Elected in 2022, first woman and Olympian to hold the position |
P.T. Usha Biography – Personal Life Information
P.T. Usha married V. Srinivasan, an inspector in the Central Industrial Security Force, in 1991. They have two sons. Despite her athletic commitments, Usha has always emphasized the importance of family support in her journey. Her parents, E.P.M. Paithal and T.V. Lakshmi, played significant roles in encouraging her aspirations.
| PT Usha’s Family Details | Information |
|---|---|
| PT Usha Husband Name | V. Srinivasan |
| PT Usha Sons Name | Two sons |
| PT Usha Mother Name | T.V. Lakshmi |
| PT Usha Father Name | E.P.M. Paithal |
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P.T. Usha Biography – PT Usha’s Legacy
P.T Usha’s legacy in Indian athletics is unparalleled. She remains an inspiration to countless young athletes and continues to contribute to the sports community through her coaching and administrative roles. Her journey from a small village in Kerala to becoming the “queen of track and field” is a testament to her determination, hard work, and enduring impact on Indian sports.
P.T. Usha Awards and Honours
P.T. Usha, fondly known as the “Payyoli Express,” has received numerous awards and honours throughout her illustrious career. Her accolades include the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and multiple international medals, recognizing her outstanding contributions to Indian athletics and her legacy as one of India’s greatest female athletes
| Year | Awards and Honours |
| 2000 | Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt.) conferred by Kannur University |
| 2017 | Honorary Doctorate (D.Sc.) conferred by IIT Kanpur |
| 2018 | Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt.) conferred by the University of Calicut |
| 2019 | IAAF Veteran Pin |
| 1985 | Padma Shri |
| 1984 | Arjuna Award |
P.T. Usha FAQs
What is the complete name of P.T. Usha?
The complete name of P.T. Usha is Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha.
How tall is P.T. Usha?
P.T. Usha is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.
Who are the parents of P.T. Usha?
P.T. Usha's parents are E.P.M. Paithal and T.V. Lakshmi.
Where did P.T. Usha come from?
P.T. Usha hails from Payyoli, a small town in Calicut, Kerala, India.
How old is P.T. Usha?
P.T. Usha was born on June 27, 1964, making her 59 years old as of 2023.
