Discover the inspiring life of P. T. Usha, India’s “Payyoli Express.” Learn about her Olympic journey, record-breaking Asian Games career, and role as IOA President. (158 chars)
Few names in Indian sports carry the weight and reverence of Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha — better known as P. T. Usha. Often called the “Queen of Indian track and field,” she has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979, winning a total of four gold and seven silver medals at the Asian Games alone. From a humble village in Kerala to the grandest stages of international athletics, her story is one of extraordinary talent, heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, quiet triumph.
What makes Usha’s story personally compelling is the way it mirrors the struggles of an entire nation’s sporting ambitions. Her natural talent was discovered when she was just nine years old — at a school race, the fourth-grade student effortlessly beat the school champion, who was three years her senior, astonishing her teachers. That single moment set in motion a career that would redefine what Indian women could achieve on the world stage.
Key Details Of Sara Arjun Biography
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha |
| Date of Birth | 27 June 1964 |
| Age | 61 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Koothali, near Perambra, Kozhikode district, Kerala |
| Grew Up In | Payyoli, Kerala |
| Parents | E.P.M. Paithal (Father), T.V. Lakshmi (Mother) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode |
| Coach | O.M. Nambiar |
| Spouse | V. Srinivasan (m. 1991; d. 30 January 2026) |
| Children | Two sons, including Dr. Vignesh Ujjwal |
| Nicknames | Payyoli Express, Golden Girl, Udanpari |
| Known For | Track & field athletics, IOA Presidency |
| Current Role | President, Indian Olympic Association; Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) |
Early Life and Background
P. T. Usha was born to E.P.M. Paithal and T.V. Lakshmi in the Kerala village of Koothali near Perambra in Kozhikode district. She was afflicted by ill health in her early childhood, growing up in modest circumstances in the nearby village of Payyoli. Despite her fragile health as a young girl, right from her primary school days, Usha showed the spark of athletic talent and was the star of many a sports meet.
Her abilities over the next few years earned her a place in one of the first batches of sport-oriented schools the Kerala government had set up. It was during the 1979 National School Games that her trajectory changed permanently. Her performance attracted the attention of prominent athletics coach O.M. Nambiar, who thereafter helped guide her career. Under Nambiar’s disciplined tutelage, the shy girl from Payyoli began transforming into a force of nature on the track.
Career Journey and Major Achievements
The Early Years (1980–1983)
At 16 years old, Usha became the then-youngest sprinter to represent India at the Olympics, when she was included in the contingent for the 1980 Games in Moscow. Though her Olympic debut was modest, she returned stronger. At the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, she won silver medals in the 100m and 200m, clocking 11.95s and 25.32s respectively. By 1983, she had already captured gold at the Asian Championships in Kuwait City in the 400m.
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics — Glory and Heartbreak
This remains the most defining chapter of Usha’s athletic life. At the Games, she clocked 56.81s in the heats and 55.94s in the semi-final, setting a new Commonwealth record as she entered the final. In the final, she finished fourth in 55.42 seconds — narrowly missing a medal in the finals, reminiscent of Milkha Singh’s 1960 close brush with the podium. Usha lost the bronze by 1/100th of a second.
This followed after one of her competitors had a false start, which was said to have “broken her rhythm” as she got off the blocks a bit slower at the restart. Despite the agonizing loss, she became the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic athletics event. Her personal best of 55.42 seconds still stands as India’s national record in women’s 400m hurdles — equalled by Vithya Ramraj at the Asian Games 2023, 39 years later.
Asian Dominance (1985–1989)
If Los Angeles was heartbreak, Asia became her kingdom. She won five gold medals at the 6th Asian Track and Field Championship in Jakarta in 1985. Her medals at the same meet are a record for a single athlete in a single international meet.
At the 1986 Seoul Asian Games, Usha won 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal in the track and field events. The 200 metres gold came in 23.44, 400 metres gold in 52.16, and 4x400m relay gold in 3:34.58 — all new Games records. A British athletics coach captured it perfectly at the time, noting that she was “a first class athlete, a tough competitor and a terrific runner to watch.”
From 1983 to 1989, Usha garnered 13 golds at ATF meets.
The Remarkable Comeback (1994–1998)
After marrying V. Srinivasan in 1991, Usha stepped away from athletics. But the track called her back. Returning after a four-year break, Usha bagged a silver medal at the Hiroshima Asian Games 1994. Then, at the age of 34, she astonished the country by winning bronze medals in the 200m and 400m at the Asian Track and Field meet at Fukuoka in Japan, 1998, and set a new national record for the 200m, improving on her own previous record.
She represented India in the 4×100 metres relay at the 1998 Asian Championships in Athletics, where her team won the gold medal, setting a national record of 44.43 seconds.
Awards, Honors, and Recognitions
| Award | Year | Issuing Body |
|---|---|---|
| Arjuna Award | 1983 | Government of India |
| Padma Shri | 1985 | Government of India |
| Adidas Golden Shoe | 1986 | Asian Games, Seoul |
| Sportsperson of the Century | — | Indian Olympic Association |
| Sportswoman of the Millennium | — | Indian Olympic Association |
| Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) | 2022 | Nominated by President of India |
Life Beyond the Track
The Usha School of Athletics
After retiring from competitive athletics in 2000, Usha founded the Usha School of Athletics near Kozhikode. Her academy guides young athletics hopefuls and hones their skills, aimed at ensuring India’s future athletic stars can reach the same heights that she did. The most well-known student in Usha’s athletics programme is Tintu Luka, who holds the 800-metre national record and won gold at the Asian Games.
President of the Indian Olympic Association
In December 2022, India’s iconic track and field star was elected unopposed as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The 58-year-old became the first Olympian and first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year history.
Usha assumed the presidency during a turbulent time in Indian sports, and despite the challenges and objections from within the organisation, she has confronted each issue head-on. She has also claimed that India could have faced consequences from the IOC even before the Paris 2024 Olympics had it not been for her intervention, stating the IOC waited two years because of her presence, which allowed India to compete under its own flag.
Personal Life
Usha married V. Srinivasan, an English inspector with the Central Industrial Security Force, in 1991. The couple has two sons. Srinivasan died on 30 January 2026, at the age of 67.
Controversies and Challenges
Usha’s tenure as IOA President has not been without friction. She has been at loggerheads with her own Executive Council members over an ongoing power struggle within the organisation, believing that a few members are trying to “sideline” her. Disputes over CEO appointments and governance have marked her leadership. Nevertheless, she has maintained a firm stance, prioritising athlete welfare and institutional integrity.
Interesting Facts
- Usha’s nickname “Payyoli Express” became a trend-setter — nicknames like “Rawalpindi Express” for Shoaib Akhtar and “Indian Express” for Paes and Bhupathi came into vogue much later.
- She is the first nominated parliamentarian in history to become the vice-chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
- Her 400m hurdles national record of 55.42 seconds, set at the 1984 Olympics, still stands today — over four decades later.
- She is probably the first Indian sports icon who returned to track and field after taking a hiatus following her marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is P. T. Usha? P. T. Usha is a retired Indian track and field athlete, often called the “Queen of Indian track and field.” She is one of India’s most decorated athletes and currently serves as President of the Indian Olympic Association.
What is P. T. Usha known for? She is best known for her fourth-place finish at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (missing bronze by 1/100th of a second), her dominance at Asian Games and Championships, and her role as the first woman IOA President.
Did P. T. Usha win an Olympic medal? No. Her closest moment was at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she finished fourth in the 400m hurdles, missing the bronze medal by just 1/100th of a second in a dramatic photo finish.
Is P. T. Usha married? She married V. Srinivasan in 1991. He passed away on 30 January 2026. They have two sons together.
What are P. T. Usha’s biggest achievements? Her achievements include being the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic athletics final, winning over 33 international medals, founding the Usha School of Athletics, and becoming the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association in 2022.
Conclusion
P. T. Usha’s journey is not defined by the Olympic medal that eluded her — it is defined by everything she did after that heartbreaking 1/100th of a second. She turned personal disappointment into a decades-long mission to uplift Indian athletics, first through the track, then through her academy, and now through the highest corridors of sports governance.
What makes her story truly remarkable isn’t just the records or the medals. It’s the quiet, persistent way she kept showing up — as an athlete, a mentor, and a leader — long after the world had moved on to the next headline. From a sickly child in Payyoli to the President of the Indian Olympic Association, P. T. Usha remains a living testament to the idea that legacy is never built in a single moment. It is built, one step at a time, over a lifetime.
