Forgotten Hero Who Defeated P.T.

Usha 6 Times
RACHITA MISTRY

Rachita Mistry was the first Indian woman to represent India in the 200 meters at
the Olympics. She is a former Indian sprinter who represented India in various
international competitions, including the Olympics and the Asian Games. She
specialized in sprinting events, particularly the 200 meters, and was known for her
speed and versatility. Mistry faced numerous challenges throughout her career but
managed to achieve notable successes, becoming a trailblazer for Indian women in
athletics.

She held the 100 meters national record of 11.38 seconds set at the National
Circuit Athletic Meet held in Thiruvananthapuram on 12 August 2000 for 13 years
until it was bettered in 2013 by Merlin K. Joseph.Rachita set her personal best
time of 11.26 s for 100 metres in Bangalore on 5 July 2001 and in the process she
broke P.T.Usha’s long standing mark of 11.39 s set during the 1985 Asian
Championships in Athletics in Jakarta. In 1998, she was conferred the Arjuna Award
for her contribution to the Indian athletics.

After giving birth, Rachita Mistry likely went through a period of recovery and
adjustment, both physically and emotionally. As a former athlete, she might have
gradually eased back into her training regimen, taking into consideration the
changes her body went through during pregnancy and childbirth. It's common for
athletes who become mothers to face challenges balancing their athletic careers
with their new roles as parents. Mistry may have also been involved in initiatives
related to women's health and fitness post-pregnancy, sharing her experiences and
insights with others.

Rachita Mistry, an Indian sprinter, faced various difficulties during her journey
as an athlete. Some of these challenges likely included financial constraints, lack
of adequate training facilities, limited access to quality coaching, and intense
competition both domestically and internationally.Additionally, she might have
encountered societal pressures and gender biases prevalent in sports, which can add
further hurdles to the already demanding path of professional athletics. Despite
facing challenges, she managed to achieve significant milestones in Indian
athletics during her career.