M D Valsamma
M.D. Valsamma's school life in Kerala sparked her athletic journey, noticed by a PE teacher for her tall frame, leading her to hurdles and pentathlon while studying at Sports Division Kannur.
Born in 1960 and hailing from Ottathai, Kerala’s Kannur district, Manathoor Devasai Valsamma, known as MD Valsamma orn in Ottathai, Kannur, Valsamma showed early promise in athletics during her school days.
A physical education teacher recognized her talent in high jump and quick reflexes, encouraging her to try the 100m hurdles.
Her family was conservative, and persuading her father to let her compete was a hurdle itself, but sport opened doors for her.
She faced societal norms where girls were expected to marry young, but her success challenged these views.
She is the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal at an international event on Indian soil and the second Indian woman athlete after Kamaljeet Sandhu to individually win a gold at the Asian Games. Her record time of 58.47 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles event on the grounds of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi led her to win the gold medal at the 1982 Asian Games.
Valsamma began concentrating on 100 metres hurdles and went on to create another national record at the first National Games in 1985. In a sporting career spanning nearly 15 years, she won gold, silver, bronze medals at the Spartakiad 1983, the South Asian Federation (SAF) for three different athlete events. She participated in World Cup meets in Havana, Tokyo, London, the Asian Games editions of 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994 in all the Asian tracks and fields. She left her mark in each and every competition by winning several medals.
The Government of India conferred Valsamma the Arjuna Award in 1982 and the Padma Shri award in 1983 for her immense contribution and excellence in the field of sports. She also received the G. V. Raja cash award from the Government of Kerala. Such was the journey of Valsamma in athletics, an inspiring story even till this day for she has definitely made India proud!