KOCHI: O.M. Nambiar, the renowned coach who trained and guided legendary sprinter P.T. Usha to international glory, died on Thursday, aged 89. Hailing from Vadakara in Calicut district in Kerala, Nambiar, who began his career with the Air Force, took over Usha when she was very young and helped her achieve some of her greatest performances including the fourth-place finish in 400m hurdles at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Usha was one of the first to pay tributes to Nambiar.

"The departure of my guru, my coach, my guiding light is going to leave a void that can never be filled. Words cannot express his contribution to my life. Anguished by the grief. Will miss you OM Nambiar sir. Rest in peace," PT tweeted along with a collage of her photographs with her coach.

Nambiar, an athlete who could not make it big at the national and international circuit, took to coaching early in his life and discovered a gem in Usha, who turned out to be the greatest athlete the country has ever produced. The Athletics Federation of India too paid rich tributes to Nambiar.

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