Never got enough exposure all through my career, reveals PT Usha
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Legendary Indian athlete PT Usha revealed that she would have definitely performed better on the international level had she been given more exposure. She also singled out the likes of Neeraj Chopra and Hima Das as leading contenders to win an Olympic medal for India in Tokyo next year.
Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha or PT Usha was born on June 27, 1964, in Koothali in Kozhikode. Having entered the field of athletics at the tender age of 16, she is credited with popularising the sport across the country having served as a role model for many modern-day Indian athletes.
Having retired from professional competitions in 2000, the legendary Indian athlete revealed that she could have won many more medals had she been given proper guidance and exposure during the early days of her track career.
"I would like to make it clear that there were no solid offers to train abroad. When I did not get exposure meets how can I get offers to train abroad? There were so many claims, but all were a bluff. One news I heard was that I will train with Edwin Moses. How can it happen when Edwin himself was competing like me? People can say anything, but it was a little strange for me. The only realistic offer came from Nebraska University who offered me a scholarship to be a physical education director.
"What will a 24-year-old do with that? Retire and study? I ruled out that offer and concentrated on my career. After that I have bought scores of medals for India in Asian Games, Asian championships. The only help received was from Gymmal Fred, during our short stint in London in 1985. He helped me a lot, he gave scientific inputs and that helped me win five gold medals in the Jakarta Asian meet and medals in four out of six Grand Prix. My timing was so good that I was selected for the final GP but it clashed with the Jakarta meet and I opted for the Asian meet. I returned with a record haul of five gold medals. I can say that I never got exposure trips or international meets all through my career," Usha said in an interview with TOI.
Usha, who also won five gold medals at the 6th Asian Track and Field Championship in Jakarta in 1985, also added that she was rather optimistic about the budding Indian talent in the making who will have a chance to win the elusive Olympic medal at next year's competition in Tokyo.
"Neeraj Chopra (javelin thrower) was showing real potential. Now he is injured. I thought he was a sure bet to win that elusive Olympic medal during 2020 Tokyo Games. In women’s 400m, world junior champion Hima Das’s timing of 51.46 seconds looks good. Hima must maintain her form and rhythm to achieve higher glory," Usha, who's most glorious performance occurred at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where she won the 400m hurdles heats, further said.
