Sardar Fauja Singh, the legendary marathon runner known globally as the 'Turbaned Tornado,' died at 114 after being struck by an unidentified vehicle on Monday, around 3.30 pm in his village, Beas, Jalandhar. He was rushed to a hospital and was declared dead upon arrival.
Singh's life was a testament to endurance, resilience, and the belief that age is no barrier to passion. Here are 10 key things to know about the remarkable centenarian:
1.) The 'Turbaned Tornado': He earned his global moniker, the 'Turbaned Tornado,' for his incredible marathon running feats at an advanced age, inspiring millions worldwide.
2.) Overcoming a challenging childhood: Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, Jalandhar, Singh faced severe physical challenges in his early years. He couldn't walk until the age of five due to thin and frail legs, leading many to believe he was physically disabled.
3.) A new beginning in England: After contributing to his family's livelihood through farming in his youth, Singh moved to East London in 1992 to live with his son, seeking a fresh start following the death of his wife, Gian Kaur.
4.) Late start to running: He took up jogging initially to cope with grief after the death of his fifth son, Kuldip, in August 1994. However, it wasn't until the age of 89, in 2000, that he began training seriously, completing his maiden full marathon at the London Marathon in 6 hours and 54 minutes.
5.) Marathon milestones: Over the years, Fauja Singh ran nine full marathons in cities like London, Toronto, and New York. His personal best was achieved at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he completed the race in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 seconds in the 'over 90' category. He is also believed to be the oldest man to have completed a full marathon, at the age of 100.
6.) Eight world records in one day: In 2011, at the age of 100, Singh achieved an astounding eight world age-group records in a single day at the Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet in Toronto. He reset five existing world records and set marks for three events where no previous records existed for his age group.
7.) Guinness recognition snub: Despite becoming the first centenarian to finish a marathon at the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon (completing it in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds), Guinness World Records refused to officially recognise the feat. This was due to his inability to produce a birth certificate, as official birth records were not kept in India in 1911. But, his passport listed his birth date as April 1, 1911, and he received a personal letter from Queen Elizabeth II congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
8.) Retirement at 101: Fauja Singh retired from competitive long-distance running at the age of 101, completing his last competitive race – a 10km run – in Hong Kong, China, in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
9.) Cultural icon and philanthropist: The "Turbaned Tornado," Singh not only broke athletic records but also raised funds for various charities, promoted vegetarianism, and proudly represented Sikh culture on the global stage. He was also awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2003, becoming the first non-American to receive the honour, and the Pride of India title in 2011.
10.) Oldest PETA philanthropist: He was featured in a PETA campaign as the oldest man to do so and appeared in a commercial alongside sports legends David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. His life story was chronicled in the 2011 book Turbaned Tornado and a biopic titled Fauja was announced in 2021.
(With inputs from Olympics.com)
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