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P. T. Usha Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth27 June 1964

Age60 Years

BirthplaceKoothali, Kerala

ProfessionFormer Athlete, Nominated Member of Rajya Sabha

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseV Srinivasan

FamilySon - Dr Vignesh V Ujjwal; Parents - E.P.M. Paithal and T. V. Lakshmi

P. T. Usha Biography

Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha, widely known as P. T. Usha and nicknamed the Payyoli Express and Golden Girl of India, is a former Indian sprinter, a

Early life and background

Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha was born on 27 June 1964 in Koothali, Kerala. Raised in a Malayali family, she showed a natural affinity for running from childhood — racing with friends, leaping fences and training along the seashore. Her early schooling took place at Trikottur AUP School in Kozhikode and later at GVHSS (Sports) Kannur. She went on to attend Providence Women’s College in Kozhikode.

Usha was discovered in 1976 by coach O. M. Nambiar at a school sports meet in Payyoli. Impressed by her build and quick movement, Nambiar began training her and brought her into the sports school for women started by the Kerala government in Kannur. The state later awarded her a small scholarship in recognition of her promise as a young athlete.

Career

Usha made her international debut at the Pakistan Open National Meet in Karachi in 1980 and went on to become one of India’s most decorated track athletes. Competing across sprints and hurdles, she produced personal bests that include 11.39 seconds for 100 metres (Jakarta, 1985), 23.05 seconds for 200 metres (Lucknow, 1999), 51.61 seconds for 400 metres (Canberra, 1985) and a national-record 55.42 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles (Los Angeles, 1984).

Her medal record at Asian Championships and Asian Games is extensive. She won multiple gold medals across the 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and relay events at Asian Championships in the mid-1980s and at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. She also contributed to relay medals over several editions of the continental championships and Asian Games through the late 1980s and into the 1990s. At global competitions she recorded notable finishes, including fifth place in the 100 metres at the 1980 Olympic Games and seventh in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1988 Olympics. In 1985 she finished fifth in the World Cup 400 metres hurdles.

Usha set and held Asian and national records in a range of events during her peak period. Among those records were time marks set in 1984 and 1985 for hurdles and sprints, Asian Games records set at Seoul in 1986 for 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay, and a number of national bests from the early 1980s through the late 1990s.

Honours and recognition

Her performances brought major national and continental recognition. She received the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award in 1984, and was chosen multiple times as Best Athlete of Asia. Additional awards include regional and international trophies recognizing her as one of Asia’s top athletes, an Adidas Golden Shoe accolade connected to the 1986 Seoul Games, and long-term recognition from the Indian Olympic Association, which named her Best Sportswoman of the Century in 2000. In later years she has been honored with several honorary doctorates from Indian universities and received an IAAF Veteran Pin Award in 2019.

Public profile

Beyond her competitive results, Usha has been a public figure in Indian sport. She has served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha and was elected President of the Indian Olympic Association in November 2022. Her life story — from a small village upbringing to international athletics success — has become a widely recounted part of India’s sporting history. She has been known by several epithets, including Payyoli Express, Udanpari, Asian Sprint Queen and Running Machine.

Personal life

Usha married V. Srinivasan on 25 April 1991. Her husband has worked with the Central Industrial Security Force and was a national kabaddi player. The couple have a son, Dr Vignesh V Ujjwal, who is a sports medicine specialist. Her parents are E.P.M. Paithal and T. V. Lakshmi, and she grew up with several siblings.

Latest updates

In recent years Usha has continued to receive honors from academic institutions, including multiple honorary doctorate degrees conferred between 2000 and 2022. She has remained visible in administrative and representative roles within Indian sport, highlighted by her 2022 election as IOA President. A legal complaint was filed in 2021 by a former athlete alleging financial impropriety related to a real estate matter; that complaint was forwarded to local authorities and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. Usha’s athletic legacy and ongoing involvement in sports governance remain central to her public profile.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about P. T. Usha, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

President of the Indian Olympic Association

Elected as President of the Indian Olympic Association in November 2022.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. International debut at the Pakistan Open National Meet in Karachi (1980)
  2. Personal bests: 100m 11.39 (Jakarta 1985), 200m 23.05 (Lucknow 1999), 400m 51.61 (Canberra 1985), 400m hurdles 55.42 NR (Los Angeles 1984)
  3. Multiple gold medals at Asian Championships and Asian Games in the 1980s
  4. Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 1984
  5. Named Best Sportswoman of the Century by the Indian Olympic Association (2000)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was P. T. Usha born?

P. T. Usha was born on 27 June 1964.

What is P. T. Usha known for?

P. T. Usha is known for former Athlete, Nominated Member of Rajya Sabha.

What is P. T. Usha’s marital status?

P. T. Usha's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is P. T. Usha married to?

P. T. Usha is publicly listed as married to V Srinivasan.