There is a magic about Track and Field. P.T. Usha personifies it. In the madness of shaking hands, lending her face to star-struck fan selfies, adding to those million and a half hellos accumulated over the years, and ultimately being chronicled like one of the major epics. Yet the bookmark is the 84’ Olympics and the 4th spot, not the 85’ Jakarta Asian Championships where she won five gold and a bronze.
Ironically, a failure to reach the podium at the Olympics is bigger than five golds at an Asian Championship. During an interview at the 2014 Asian Games, she said, “People remember you for various things, one of them is the 84’ Olympics”—one of the reasons why she protects Tintu Luka to such an extent.
Speak about Tintu’s timing in 2010 with that slight hint maybe because it’s a career that has seen better days, and Usha’s fighting, protective instincts are like a soldier’s call to arms.
“In 2012, she has done 1:59.69, in 2014 she ran 1:59.19 and then in Rio, despite bronchial issues, Tintu ran 2:00.58,” defends Usha. Tintu’s best was at the Continental Cup in Croatia when she timed 1:59.17. It’s been seven years. “With this much training, only expect this much,” says Usha. “To be able to improve timings and do well at major competitions, you need to be in Europe, then you expect to go under 59 or reach somewhere near 58.”
Usha explains that it is not a money issue with the government. “The government is willing to spend the money but who will give us entry into the Diamond League and other competitions. One has to be in the top 15 to get entries.”
Usha, the coach, says that to really improve on technique and timing, one has to participate in 6-7 European competitions. “Compared to us, today, athletes have better infrastructure and also get exposure, plus the diet is so good now,” says Usha.
“But Tintu will win the Asian Championship in Bhubaneswar and go to London for the World Championships,” says Usha. “She is coming into form and I expect her to do well at the Asian Games.”
Like a train making a smooth transition from one track to the other, Usha speaks about Jisna Mathew. “She is the future in the 400m,” says Usha. “She is only 99’ born and has already picked up a bronze medal here. Next year, she will be at the World Junior Championships. She will be on the podium in Jakarta. But my priority is to get a medal at the Jr World Championships.”
In the mist and uncertainty of Indian athletics, Usha of a brilliant past is still trying to create Luka’s present and ensure Jisna’s future. Even though legacy has become an empty word of late, P.T. Usha, the coach, wants to leave a lasting impact.
