Milkha Singh: Difference between revisions
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After such a horrific childhood, he forged a determined attitude to make something of his life. After being noted as a gifted athlete, this lead to him running both 200m and 400m races with huge success, easily becoming India's most successful athlete of all time. He even for a brief period was 400m world record holder. |
After such a horrific childhood, he forged a determined attitude to make something of his life. After being noted as a gifted athlete, this lead to him running both 200m and 400m races with huge success, easily becoming India's most successful athlete of all time. He even for a brief period was 400m world record holder. |
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After winning Gold in Cardiff, Wales, UK in the 1958 Commonwealth games and accepting the gold with a full head of hair, due to his Sikh faith, he |
After winning Gold in Cardiff, Wales, UK in the 1958 Commonwealth games and accepting the gold with a full head of hair, due to his Sikh faith, he became known throughout the world of Athletics. |
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At about this time, he was invited to run in Pakistan but was unsure due to the events of his childhood. He was persuaded as people were afraid of the political ramifications if he refused on these grounds. He decided to run. |
At about this time, he was invited to run in Pakistan but was unsure due to the events of his childhood. He was persuaded as people were afraid of the political ramifications if he refused on these grounds. He decided to run. |
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In the race Milkha Singh destroyed his opposition, easily winning. So impressed were the predominately Muslim crowd, that even the fully covered women |
In the race Milkha Singh destroyed his opposition, easily winning. So impressed were the predominately Muslim crowd, that even the fully covered women unveiled their faces to see the great athlete pass them by, this is where he infamously became known as the FLYING SIKH. |
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Milkha Singh later retired and worked with the Government of India to promote sport and now resides in South Punjab, India. |
Milkha Singh later retired and worked with the Government of India to promote sport and now resides in South Punjab, India. |
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Revision as of 14:26, 4 June 2009
Milkha Singh (born in Lyallpur on 8 October 1935) is a Sikh athlete, who represented India in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He is nicknamed The Flying Sikh. He is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced.
Childhood
Milkha Singh lost his parents in the Partition of India and the chaos that ensued. He was actually forced to endure an attack by soon to be Pakistani's which resulted in the death of most of his family. He reached India from Pakistan in the cross border trains carrying refugees.
After such a horrific childhood, he forged a determined attitude to make something of his life. After being noted as a gifted athlete, this lead to him running both 200m and 400m races with huge success, easily becoming India's most successful athlete of all time. He even for a brief period was 400m world record holder.
After winning Gold in Cardiff, Wales, UK in the 1958 Commonwealth games and accepting the gold with a full head of hair, due to his Sikh faith, he became known throughout the world of Athletics.
At about this time, he was invited to run in Pakistan but was unsure due to the events of his childhood. He was persuaded as people were afraid of the political ramifications if he refused on these grounds. He decided to run.
In the race Milkha Singh destroyed his opposition, easily winning. So impressed were the predominately Muslim crowd, that even the fully covered women unveiled their faces to see the great athlete pass them by, this is where he infamously became known as the FLYING SIKH.
Milkha Singh later retired and worked with the Government of India to promote sport and now resides in South Punjab, India.
Sports and athletics
- He won the gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games in the 200 m and 400 m.
- He won the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games.
- He won the gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games.
Retirement
After retirement, Milkha Singh holds the appointment of Director of Sports in Punjab. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri. His son Jeev Milkha Singh is a golfer
External links
Commonwealth Games champions in men's 400 metres | |
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| 440 yards (1930–1966) |
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| 400 metres (1970–present) |
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