Sports are the medium to raise our country, state, district to its higher level and full of pride. Every state in India is best in their own sports. Stamina and spirit are the two best factors that are important for an athlete. However, some of the sports like cricket is highly praised all over in India. The consideration given to cricket is very high. New generations also aim their career in cricket oriented lives. Some of the famous sportswomen in Kerala are the following. These ladies have tried their maximum to raise the three colored flag ie Indian flag in events all over the world.
1. Anju Bobby George
She is one of the most successful Indian sportswomen from Kerala who is popular for Long Jump. She is in the way creating history all over the world. Her coach and husband Robert Bobby George played an important role for her achievements. She is the first Indian giving bronze for Indian in a global level. She is ranked 6th in the world for her performance in the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens when she crossed 6.83 which is the personal best of Anju. She is very much dedicated to athletics at her earlier age. It was her father who initiated her for every events at her earlier age. She was born in Changanacherry which is in the Kottayam District. Her achievement to the rank 6 is from a short span of years. This is made by her hard work and strict diet. She delivers all her success to her husband for his mental support for making her understand about her potential and aiming for her goal. She is very simple and down to earth character. She has represented India for many inauguration ceremonies. The nation has honored her by many important awards like Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the most famous award Padma Shri.
2. P.T Usha
Her full name is Pilavullakandi Thekkeparampil Usha. Introduction is not necessary for this Indian Athelete. She is from Payyoli , Kozhikode district. She is remembered as the fastest Indian women in the track. She is nicknamed as “Payyoli Express” and “Golden Girl” because of her sprint in the track. Her stamina was highly praised and her performance made her their icon among many people. Her racing spirit began to spark at her earlier age. In her school days she has won many prizes for different events. That made her notable among teachers and they gave her coaching for her future in athletics. It was O.Madhavan Nambiar who was her coach and guide almost in her career. He played a vital role in her career. Early days all the sports were male -oriented and it was very rare that a women getting into track. She faced many difficulties first and later she proved that women can be an active member in sports. She received many awards like Padma Shree, Arjuna award and many more in the list. Her record was outstanding in many events. Her personal best was 55.42 seconds which is an unbreakable record. She is manly known for losing Bronze in Olympics in the year 1984 for 400m hurdles for a fraction of second. She retired from the field in the year 2000 giving all a promise that she will train many upcoming talents. She started one athlete training school in Kerala training many upcoming talents.
3. Shiny Abraham Wilson
One of the most familiar face in the athletic field in eighties. She has achieved many goals in her life. She won many Asian gold and re-write many records. She was one of Asia’s finest 400 meters and 800 meters contestants. She was a veteran of four of the Olympics. She married Wilson who was a famous Swimming champion. Shiny is from Thodupuzha, Kottayam District Kerala. She found her career is bound in sports at her earlier age when she was schooling. She broke the national record in the U-16 category while she was in class- IX. Shiny was declared the best woman athlete at the SAF games in Chennai in 1995. Her parents encouraged her to get involved in sports at a young age. Hard work has paid off for Shiny. Her parents encouragement, her determination and a close relationship with God have all played a part in her achievements. She has represented India in over seventy events. she has received Arjuna award for her performance.
4. Chithra K. Soman
She is one of the best sprinter that India had seen after PT Usha. She specializes in 400m. In 2007, Chitra Soman won gold medal in 400m race at Asian Grand Prix series held at Gawahati on 23rd June 2007 and at Puen held on 27th June 2007. She also lead Indian women 4×400m relay team to Gold in Asian Athletics Championship held at Amman in July 2007. In 2008, Chitra again showed her class by leading another win for Indian women 4×400m relay team in 3rd Asian Indoor Championship in Athletics held in Doha in Feb 2008. Her personal best time in 400 m is 51.30 seconds, achieved in June 2004 in Chennai.
5. K.M Beenamol
She is the gold medalist in the Asian games. She has been selected for the country’s most prestigious award ‘Rajiv gandhi Khel Ratna’. Sh e has won two gold medals and a silver for her position as the best Indian athlete and also in the best in the games. She is from Idukki District, Kerala. Her idols are PT Usha and Shiney Wilson and completely adores these two sports women. She learned from them that Hard-work and self-confidence are the two major factors leading to success. She fixed her main aim in womens 400m and suceeded in that by setting a record. At 2002 it was a good year for Beenamol with the Kerala athelete winning two gold medals and a silver in the Busan Asian Games. She has received Padmashri,Arjuna and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.