NEW DELHI: The Chinese maintained their supremacy in the Asian Track and Field Meet by emerging overall champions here while India had the proud distinction of having the meets outstanding athlete in their ranks, This glory went to P.T. Usha,
Four gold medals and two silver medals in the six events she competed was Usha’s enviable demonstration. Indeed she was primarily responsible for giving India the second place in the roll call of honor ahead of formidable rivals like Korea and Japan.
This was not the same usha who a little ‘over a year ago was reduced to a picture of pity at Seoul during the Olympic Games due to physical ailments,
Usha starred in the 4×400 meters relay triumph to boost India’s gold medals tally to seven. In the shorter relay also she helped
India finish second behind the superior Chinese quartet. Usha, Ashwinin Nachappa, Sally Joseph and Saramma, however, made only a silver winning combination in the 4×100 metres relay and clocked 44.87 secs as against the Chinese who topped in 44.84 secs.
A silver by the courageous Bahadur Prasad in the 5,000 metres and a second place in the men’s 4×400 metres relay. <e the other achievements of the home country, Besides, Bahadur was also adjudged the outstanding athlete in the overall ratings in men’s section.
A gold and a silver was Bahadur’s contribution, Winner of the 1,500 metres the 25 year old railway man had the satisfaction of improving upon his previous best performance in the 5000 metres.
China’s Zhang Gwowei was undoubtedly the best in the field of 15 runners. He rarely allowed his lead to be challenged and. won in 13 minutes 53.37 secs.
But the Indian women’s teams provided 8 sweet compensation in the last event of the day winning the gold. Saramma, Mercy Kuttan, Wilson and Usha ran in that order and the last played a big hand in shaping the victory, the time recorded was 3 min 32.95.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 1, 1989
