New Delhi, Nov. 10 -- PT Usha finished fifth in the Indian Olympic Association's election for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) on Monday, 9 November 2026, missing one of the four women's places in the General Assembly. Long jumper Anju Bobby George topped the poll with 53 votes, followed by former hockey captain Rani Rampal on 50, former archer Dola Banerjee on 45 and former shuttler Saina Nehwal on 43. Usha received 40 votes, while former basketball player Anitha Paul Durai got six. Returning officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava announced the results.

Usha, the first woman to head the IOA, was elected unopposed in December 2022. She has been the public face of India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games and of preparations for the 203...