P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa and Bahadur Singh Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at Indian Athletics Awards 2026

The inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2026 celebrated not only the stars of today but also the icons who laid the foundation for the sport’s success in the country. 

In a fitting tribute to decades of excellence, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) conferred its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Athletics Awards on four of the nation’s greatest track and field personalities P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, and Bahadur Singh Chauhan.

Each recipient has played a transformative role in shaping Indian athletics through historic performances, record-breaking achievements and inspirational careers that continue to influence generations of athletes. Their recognition at the inaugural ceremony acknowledged contributions that extend far beyond medals, reflecting their enduring impact on the development of athletics in India.

Few names in Indian sport command as much respect as P.T. Usha, affectionately known as the “Payyoli Express.” Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced, Usha became a household name through her remarkable speed, determination and consistency on the international stage.

Her most memorable performance came at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she narrowly missed an Olympic medal in the 400m hurdles by just one-hundredth of a second, finishing fourth in 55.42 seconds. More than four decades later, that performance still stands as the Indian national record in the event, highlighting its extraordinary quality.

Two years later, at the 1986 Asian Games, Usha dominated continental athletics by winning three gold medals in the 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles, cementing her reputation as one of Asia’s finest track athletes.

Her achievements inspired countless young Indians to take up athletics and transformed public perception of women’s sport in the country.

Anju Bobby George’s World Championship Breakthrough

The Lifetime Achievement Award also recognised Anju Bobby George, whose success revolutionised Indian field events. Anju created history in 2003 by becoming the first and to date only Indian woman to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships, claiming a bronze medal in the women’s long jump.

Her list of accomplishments extends well beyond that landmark performance. She won bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, captured gold at the 2002 Asian Games, and consistently challenged the world’s best athletes throughout her career.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Anju finished an outstanding fifth while registering a personal best leap of 6.83 metres, a mark that remains the Indian national record in the women’s long jump.

Her achievements demonstrated that Indian athletes could compete successfully on the global stage in technical field events, inspiring future generations to dream bigger.

Another deserving recipient was Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, one of the greatest all-round athletes in Indian history. Randhawa enjoyed a distinguished career in multiple disciplines, highlighted by his decathlon gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. His versatility and athleticism set him apart during an era when excelling across events required exceptional skill and endurance.

He also impressed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he finished fifth in the 110m hurdles, an outstanding achievement against elite international competition.

Perhaps most remarkably, during one decathlon competition, Randhawa broke national records in four separate events the decathlon itself, high jump, 110m hurdles and javelin throw.

His javelin throw of 64.09 metres established a new national record in 1962, surpassing the previous benchmark of 62.52 metres.

Randhawa’s extraordinary versatility made him one of India’s most complete athletes and a pioneer in combined events.

Bahadur Singh’s Dominance in Shot Put

The fourth Lifetime Achievement Award honoured Bahadur Singh Chauhan, one of India’s greatest shot putters and a dominant force in Asian athletics for more than a decade.

Between 1973 and 1985, Bahadur consistently represented India with distinction, collecting an impressive haul of three gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals across the Asian Games and Asian Athletics Championships.

His sustained success over multiple championship cycles reflected not only exceptional ability but also remarkable longevity in one of athletics’ most physically demanding events.

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Beyond his achievements as a competitor, Bahadur played an important role in promoting Indian athletics and inspiring future generations of throwers.

By honouring Usha, Anju, Randhawa and Bahadur Singh together, the AFI recognised four athletes whose careers span different eras but share a common theme—breaking barriers and redefining what Indian competitors could achieve. P.T. Usha inspired a generation through her Olympic near-miss and Asian dominance. Anju Bobby George proved that Indian women could stand on a World Championships podium. Gurbachan Singh Randhawa showcased extraordinary versatility across disciplines, while Bahadur Singh established India as a force in Asian throwing events.

Their achievements laid the groundwork for modern stars such as Neeraj Chopra, Parul Chaudhary and other athletes currently representing India on the global stage.

The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards served as a reminder that today’s successes are built on decades of dedication and pioneering performances.

Whether it was Usha’s unforgettable sprinting exploits, Anju’s historic world medal, Randhawa’s multi-event brilliance or Bahadur Singh’s dominance in shot put, each recipient changed the course of Indian athletics in their own way.

Their stories continue to inspire aspiring athletes across the country, proving that determination, perseverance and excellence can leave a legacy that endures for generations. By recognising these four legends, the Athletics Federation of India not only celebrated its past but also reaffirmed the values that will shape the future of Indian athletics.