Kozhikode: As reported earlier, Kerala is major source of word class athletes for India. The state is a consistent supplier of great athletes that it has achieved a permanent place in the athletic map of India.

One among them but the unmatched is P.T. Usha who is still contributing through her athletic school situated in ‘Koyilandy’ near Calicut. School was formed to recognize, train, and provide specialized facilities to the talents and develop them into world class talents. Such an achievement is sure to make the country proud of them and she will be once more successful in her efforts.

Her first product ‘Tintu Luka’ has already made ripple in the field. The 17 year old, now considered as the brightest evolving talent in India, is getting ready for her maiden international appearance at the Doha Asian Games.

Tintu who hails from the hilly ‘Iritty’of Kannur district is a daughter of a mason. When she first came into the Usha’s School of Athletics five years ago, it was a challenge keeping her on track. Usha explained that “her upper body was moving so awkwardly, she seemed to be going off track often”.

Though she is yet to rein her shaky top entirely, she is now coming up with some very impressive timing in both the one and two-lapper. This year has been her best and with a stunning 55.15 sec in the 400m at the recent Chennai inter-state championship, the junior is giving many of India’s star seniors a run for their money.

“Watch out, she’ll be coming up with some stunning times in the 800m too within a year”.  “She is young, it’s still not the time to specialize but I think she can be made into a champion hurdler, she is used to hurdling, so I’ll try her in the hurdles next year.

The 400 flat and 400 hurdles will make a good combination” explains Usha. Tintu is not very tall. She measures 161cms but she is blessed with long strides, and since she is too good for the girls, she often runs with a boy at the Usha’s school which has 11 girls “and the thing is that she grasps things quickly, I don’t need to explain things to her a second time”. She is a coach’s delight and a country’s pride and hope.

CalicutNet .com conveys its best wishes to this gem of kerala and May the heaven shower her with choicest of blessings!