PT Usha calls for warm-up competitions for athletes ahead of major tournaments
Getty
PT Usha has asked the Indian athletes to participate in more warm-up competitions before going to the major tournaments if they want best results at the grandest stage. The once called 'Asia’s Golden Girl' also cited the example of legendary athlete Milkha Singh to further accentuate her point.
Usha believes Indian athletes haven’t cultivated the habit of competing in warm-up games and big competitions before they go to the major tournaments, which has prevented them from getting the desired results. The exceptional sprinter, who brought India on the map of International Sports with her heroic feats during the 80s and 90s, has stated that though the Indian athletes have worked hard in training their lack of competition against international opponents on a regular basis could prove to be their downfall.
“The current crop of athletes is training well and all that they need to do is to compete more often as Milkha Singh did prior to major events. Once an athlete reaches far ahead of his national competition, competing against them is of no major value to that athlete,” wrote Usha in her TOI column.
“The athlete then needs to compete against international competitors just above his or her level and gradually close the gap to reach standards required to win an Olympic medal. This systematic planning of competitive exposure is all that our current athletes need to follow,” she further added.
Usha came into prominence in 1985 when she won five gold medals at the Asian Track and Field Championships in Jakarta, and in 1986 at Seoul’s Asian Games, where she claimed four golds and a sliver. She went on to be known as the ‘Queen of Indian track and field’. She also brought up the example of Milkha Singh, who used to participate in numerous competitions throughout the year, big and small, that eventually led to his immortal success in 1960 Olympics.
“It was the focussed, determined and well prepared Milkha Singh's effort at the Rome Olympics where he finished fourth to narrowly miss a medal. Milkha had shot into fame with the 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games by becoming the first Indian Athlete to win an Athletic Gold in the Games. Milkha's foundation was based on competing at many International Grand Prix Meets each year which prepared him well for the Rome Olympics in 1960,” highlight Usha.
