![]() ![]() Usha’s 22.32 seconds in the 200m, meanwhile, was just a tenth behind Japan’s gold medallist Hiromi Isozaki. The Indian runner clocked 11.95 seconds in the 100m to finish behind the Philippines’ Lydia de Vega, the two becoming intense rivals for continental honours. Two years later at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, an 18-year-old Usha would sprint into millions of Indian hearts, winning two individual silver medals in the 100m and 200m races. The youngster’s Olympics debut wasn’t quite noteworthy, but it was evident that success would come. 1982 Asian Games – Payyoli Express leaves the stationĪ dominant force in the national level track and field championships from a young age, Usha made her Summer Games debut at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and became India’s youngest Olympic sprinter at 16 – a record which still stands. Here, we take a look at some of PT Usha’s best in a career that defined her legacy in Indian sports. Throughout her illustrious career, India’s Golden Girl won over a hundred international medals, set several national records and was one of the most dominant Asian athletes of her time. It was not a flash in the pan." – PT Usha. "I didn’t just run one event at one championship and win a medal. PT Usha’s reign, though, reached far beyond the City of Angels. I will miss this group with all of my heart.Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, or PT Usha, is, perhaps, best known for her incredible run at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.Īs agonising as missing out on an Olympic medal by a mere 1/100th of a second was, LA is often considered the coronation of India’s ‘queen of the track and field’. In the end, they’ll be better off for having learned that now rather than winning and believing life is just that easy, because it’s not. “I’m just blessed to have had the season we did and I told the boys that there are lessons to learn through losing, and most of the time, you’re stronger in the long run for the losses you take now,” DeMatteo said. “They’ve learned that life can knock you down, and it’s important to get back up and not quit when things don’t go your way. ![]() Next year, the Dragons return a strong core of players, including guards Anthony Peralta, Raleek Tanner and big man Xavier St. needed so badly and was exceptional all year in the paint. LeSean Chatfield, an 8th grader, was the other big man down low that M.A.T. Jason Montanez, an 8th grade shooting guard, was the silent assasin for the boys all year. Jamar Easterling, an 8th grade point guard, was crucial to M.A.T.’s comeback down the stretch in the championship game. ![]() Malik Crossdale, an 8th grader who is also the second-ranked 400-meter runner in the United States, played small forward and excelled on defense. “LaRon has great ability and if he shows more love for the game, he will excel at the next level and beyond,” said DeMatteo. The Dragons were led by a monster squad of 8th graders featuring LaRon Holt, a 6’3” forward going to play next year at JFK high school. We got beat by a team with tremendous heart who showed it when it counted.” It’s tough to have the season we had and then lose in the final seconds, but that’s the way basketball goes. “We were up by 2 points with the ball with one minute left and we just gave it to them. “The boys played their best, but in the end, it’s the little things that make games and we didn’t take care of the basketball down the stretch,” said DeMatteo.
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