Who was Fauja Singh? Legendary marathon runner dies at 114
Author Khushwant Singh, who wrote Fauja's biography, 'The Turbaned Tornado', confirmed the legend's demise.
"My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja," Khushwant posted on X.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, also expressed 'deep sadness' over Fauja Singh's passing. In a post on X, he wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and symbol of resilience. At 114, he joined me in the 'Nasha Mukt, Rangla Punjab' march with unmatched spirit. His legacy will continue to inspire a drug-free Punjab. Om Shanti Om."
How was Fauja Singh?
Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, debuted as a marathon runner at the ripe age of 89 years in 2000. Nicknamed the 'Turbaned Tornado', Singh ran nine full marathons.
His best time was recorded in Toronto, where he clocked five hours, 40 minutes and four seconds.
Fauja Singh did not have an easy childhood. His family thought he was crippled since he was not able to walk until the age of five.
Marathon runner Fauja Singh's running shoes with his name inscribed on them. (File Photo/HT)
While as a young man, he took up farming to support his family, Singh moved to England in 1992. He settled down in East London with his son after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur, in Jalandhar. His fifth son, Kuldip, died in August 1994, according to
The legend took up running as a distraction from the trauma of losing his son, daughter, and wife in quick succession.
He holds the world record for the marathon in his age group and has five British records. On January 1, 2015, Singh received the British Empire Medal for his athletic achievements.
Fauja Singh was also a torchbearer for the London Olympics in 2012.
Fauja Singh completed his last competitive 26-mile race in Hong Kong in February 2013, following which he hung up his running boots.
Additionally, Fauja Singh was the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign. He also appeared alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali for a leading sports brand commercial.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
39 minutes ago
- NDTV
Fortuner That Hit And Killed Marathoner Fauja Singh Identified: Cops
The car which hit 114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway and sped away has been identified almost 24 hours after the incident, cops said. The world's oldest marathoner died in the accident. The cops, using CCTV footage, have identified a Punjab-registered white Toyota Fortuner, which was allegedly involved in the hit-and-run, but a search is still on for the driver. Multiple teams have been formed to identify the accused who rammed Fauja Singh. The legendary runner suffered head injuries in the incident and died in the hospital. Mr Singh, popularly known as 'Turbaned Tornado', was a global icon. He was born on April 1, 1911 and lived through history, witnessing two world wars, two global pandemics, and India's partition in 1947. In the 90s, he moved to England to live with one of his sons. The death of his son Kuldip and his wife forced him to search for a worthwhile alternative in life. Age was never a barrier for him. In 2000, at the age of 89, he made his debut at the iconic London marathon, which grabbed the world's attention. He went on to participate in Toronto, New York, and other cities within his age group. He was a torchbearer for the 2004 Athens Games and 2012 London Olympics, and appeared in an advertisement for a major sports brand alongside legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. In 2012, Malaysia organised the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run with the theme of "101 and running". The event was a tribute to Fauja Singh's achievements, and he was honoured with the BrandLaureate Award. In 2013, Fauja participated in the Hong Kong marathon, where he completed the race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. Following this, he announced his retirement from running at the age of 102. However, he continued running for his well-being and charitable causes. People from the sporting community and political leaders mourned Fauja Singh's death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary due to his unique personality and his approach to inspiring India's youth on the crucial topic of fitness. He was a remarkable athlete with unwavering determination. His passing has caused great sorrow. My condolences are with his family and his countless admirers around the world." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of centenarian marathon legend, the globally celebrated 'Turbaned Tornado,' Fauja Singh ji. His life, a testament to unwavering determination and unbridled resilience, serves as a profound inspiration for fitness enthusiasts, aspiring athletes and the young and old alike." "My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and admirers," he added.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
'King Charles Inquired About Akash Deep's Sister': Rajeev Shukla Reflects On Historic Meeting
Last Updated: BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla praised King Charles III for his heartfelt interaction with Indian cricket teams, noting his detailed knowledge of players' personal lives. Vice President of BCCI, Rajeev Shukla, expressed his appreciation for the meaningful and heartfelt interaction between King Charles III and the Indian men's and women's cricket teams, noting that the monarch had done his 'homework" ahead of the meeting, right down to asking about Akash Deep's sister's battle with cancer. On Tuesday, both Indian squads—led by captains Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Kaur—were hosted by King Charles III at St. James's Palace in London. The teams, along with their coaches and support staff, were warmly received and engaged in an insightful conversation with the British monarch. Speaking to ANI, Shukla praised the King's thoughtful approach and deep interest in the players' personal journeys. 'It was a historic occasion. Both our men's and women's teams were invited by King Charles and met him at the Palace. The players were very happy because he asked about personal details of each one of them," Shukla said. 'He even inquired about Akash Deep's sister's illness. He had clearly done his research." Shukla also recounted a surprising moment when King Charles asked about Arun Jaitley, a close associate of Shukla and a former BCCI figure. 'He asked Saikia ji [BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia] and me whether Arun Jaitley was my friend. When I told him he had passed away, the King expressed his condolences and asked me to convey them to his family," Shukla added. Shukla said the team was struck by the King's modest and approachable demeanor. 'He had so many details memorized. He truly came across as a gentleman—it didn't feel like we were speaking to the King of England. There was a great deal of humility in him, and the team was very happy to meet him." Akash Deep's Emotional Dedication Akash Deep, who has emerged as a standout performer in the ongoing Test series, earned praise for his match-winning 10-wicket haul in the second Test at Edgbaston. His efforts included a stunning 6/99 in the second innings, bowling out England for 271 as they chased an unlikely target of 608. After the match, the 28-year-old pacer dedicated his performance to his sister, who has been battling cancer for the past two months. 'Every time I had the ball in my hand, her thoughts would cross my mind," Akash told Cheteshwar Pujara during a post-match chat on Jio Hotstar. 'I haven't spoken about this before, but two months ago, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. This performance is for her—I hope it brings some happiness back. I want to tell her, 'Sis, we are all with you.'" India narrowly lost the third Test by 22 runs, a heartbreaking result in an otherwise competitive series. The team will look to bounce back in the fourth Test, which begins on July 23. About the Author Sports Desk Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Latest News Fired After Working All Night, Employee Goes Berserk On Breakfast Bar World Agency feeds Only one case of honeytrap registered in Thane, later withdrawn: minister Kadam Agency feeds Karnataka govt signs MoU with IISc to curb human-elephant conflict Agency feeds Gita shlokas to be recited daily in Uttarakhand govt schools Agency feeds Andhra Pradesh aims for Rs 25,000 cr in Tourism investments latest news
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Australian Vlogger Visits Delhi Gym, Shocked By Indian Bodybuilder's Incredible Physique
Australian travel vlogger Jaden Laing, who proudly calls himself the "third strongest man in Australia", recently visited a gym in Delhi and was left speechless by what he saw. Laing, on a trip to India, decided to check out the Iron Warrior Fitness Club in Malviya Nagar, known for its humble pricing of just Rs 150 ($2 approx) for a day's workout. What started as a casual visit quickly turned into a jaw-dropping experience when Laing spotted photos of the gym's owner, Nepal Singh Dagar, on the walls. Singh, a former Mr India (2009), black belt in judo, and fitness icon, was also present at the gym. The vlogger was visibly surprised by Singh's massive, shredded physique, joking that he needed to hit the weights harder back home. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jaden Laing (@jadentysonlaing) The surprise didn't stop there. Laing also met another gym-goer whose muscular frame left him even more impressed. "This guy's physique is insane; I need to start training again," he laughed on camera. The video capturing his visit has now gone viral, racking up over 25 million views and 2 million likes, with fans across the globe praising India's fitness culture and Singh's dedication to the sport. "What a physique for a 51-year-old! Massive respect," commented a user. "Bro, now I want to see the whole workout video. Also love how positive you are and the way you were appreciating those guys. More power to you, big man," wrote another user. "You got your money's worth and then some the moment the little bloke took his shirt off," commented a third user.
