Here's how PT Usha got inspired by Milkha Singh? A must read
Milkha Singh would undoubtedly remain the greatest Indian track athlete of all time as the nation mourns his demise. The legend inspired many Indian athletes of the modern-day, which also included fellow legend PT Usha. Here's how she got inspired.
FollowLegendary former Indian athlete Milkha Singh is in the headlines on Saturday for having passed away on Friday night after a mong long battle with COVID-19. Being rated as the greatest Indian track athlete of all time, he was undoubtedly an inspiration for many Indian athletes of the modern-day.
However, he did not just inspire the athletes of this generation. Fellow legendary former athlete and Olympian PT Usha too was inspired by him, as she recalled how he did that to her. "You must compete in international meets abroad to improve," said Usha on the ultimate advice she received from him, reports PTI.
"I met Milkha ji for the first time in 1982 and it was a memorable one. He advised me to focus on participating in international meets to improve my level. Go and run outside the country; only then you can improve and compete with the foreigners, he would insist," she added.
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Usha recalled that it was her coach OM Nambiar who had introduced her to Milkha, as she learnt a lot of valuable inputs and tricks from the legend. "Ever since I got introduced to Milkha ji through my coach, I always used to ask him a lot of questions. And he was always ready to answer them. He offered suggestions and spoke in an inspiring manner," she remembered.
After getting to know about Milkha's demise, Usha reckoned that she was heartbroken while she revived his 1960 Rome Olympics performance, during which he marginally missed out on a bronze. Usha had come closest, as she too had missed out on the same during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, as India is yet to win a medal in athletics.
"What a performance it was in the Rome Olympics. He showed what could be achieved with sheer willpower and dedication. He was a trailblazer. His dedication was amazing and he showed the way to youngsters with his performances. He always used to tell aspiring athletes that if they were dedicated, they could achieve anything," she concluded.
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