PT Usha Nominated For Dronacharya Award, Seema Punia For Arjuna Award

Legendary athlete PT Usha was on Friday nominated by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the Dronacharya Award.

The athlete-turned-coach is nominated alongside Sanjay Garnaik for the prestigious award for her commendable work in the field

Usha, who became the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, is the winner of several Asian Games sprint medals. She is now motivating young athletes through her coaching academy, Usha School of Athletics.

Hailing from Kerala, Usha's achievements set an example for Indian women looking to enter the sports world.

READ: #KheloIndia Will Hone Young India’s Sporting Talent

Meanwhile, Javelin thrower Annu Rani and four-time Commonwealth Games medallist Seema Antil Punia have been recommended for the Arjuna Award

"Seema deserves an Arjuna Award. She is one of the greatest and most consistent athletes India has produced. Her four-consecutive gold medals at Commonwealth Games proves that," said Bahadur Singh, chairman of Arujna Award recommendation committee of AFI.

Discuss thrower Seema Punia has clinched silver in the Women’s Discus Throw with an attempt of 60.41m at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games (CWG). Punia had qualified for the Rio Olympics 2016 for the third time, having represented the country in 2004 and then again in 2012. The 32-year-old Haryana-based athlete is a gold medallist of the 2014 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, with a throw of 61.03m, a silver winner in the 2014 Glasgow CWG Commonwealth Games with an effort of 61.61m, a personal best scorer of 64.84m in 2004, also a silver medallist in 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and a bronze in the 2010 Delhi CWG. She has over 10 career marks over 61.00m.

In other developments, the AFI has also recommended Bobby Aloysius for the Dhyanchand Award.

Also Read: Does India take its sportswomen seriously?

Feature Image Credit: India Today

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