Indian Athlete known as the queen of Indian track and field . Her nick name was Payyoli Express. She started her career from National School Games and crossed many glorious steps under coaching of her teacher O.M.Nambair. She was first Indian women to reach to final in the Olympics. She won nearly 101 International Medals. Made world record in female wining 5 gold medals and 1 bronze medal in a single track at at Asian Track Field Meet and she was single athlete to win 6 medal in a single international meet .

She received Arjuna Award in 1984, And Padma Shree Award in 1984 ,Great Women Athlete Award in 1985 ,Best Athlete Award in 1984-87 and in 1989, Marshal Tito Award for best railway sports person in 1984-85 and 1980-90.

She won the Adidas Golden Shoe Award at Seoul Asian Games in 1986 and 30 International awards for her extraordinary performance , Sports Journalists Award in 1999 , World Trophy for best Athlete 1985-86.

She started the international Olympics career with Moscow Olympics(1980) and then New Delhi Asiad and she won 13 golds at ATF.

She was the first Indian women to enter final in Olympics and she lost medal by 1/100^th sec.She was called as the ' Sportsperson of the Century' by Indian Olympic Association .

Her last participation was at Asian Meet in Fukuoka , Japan (1998)