London (AP)-An Indian-origin runner Fauja Singh gave the nickname of a turban Torpedo, which was believed to have died after being hit by a car, the world’s oldest marathon runner. He was 114 years old.
Local media in India reported that Singh faced serious injuries in a hit-and-run accident on Monday when he was crossing the road in his original village near Jalandhar in Punjab. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died. His London -based Running Club and Charity, Sikhs confirmed his death in the city.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singh, saying that he “inspired his unique personality and the way he inspired the youth of India on a very important subject of fitness.”
Singh became the oldest person to run a full marathon in 2011 at the age of 100 in Toronto. His achievement was not recognized by the Guinness World Records as he did not have a birth certificate to prove his age. Singh had a British passport that showed his date of birth on 1 April 1911, while a letter from the Government of India officials said that the birth record was not kept in 1911.
A flashlight for the 2012 London Olympics, Singh, at the age of 89, participated as a way of being more than depression after his wife and son died in quick succession in India. The death of his son in 1994 took a particularly difficult toll on him due to his serious nature.
Singh and his son, Kuldeep, were checking on their fields in the middle of a storm, when a piece of corrugated metal bloated by the air dropped the Kuldip in front of his father’s eyes.
Singh, whose five other children had migrated, were left alone.
His coach Harmander Singh said, “He did not think his life was worth living without his son” that after a painful incident, his coach Hermander Singh said.
He went to London to live with his youngest son. This is where the sports enthusiast Singh participated in the tournament organized by the Sikh community and participated in the sprint. He met some Sikh marathon runners, who encouraged him to run long distances. One day he first saw a marathon on television and decided what he wanted to do.
At the age of 89 in 2000, he launched his first race, and went to eight more. His best time in the 2003 Toronto marathon was 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Singh said, “A tragedy has brought a lot of success and happiness.”
Singh ran his last competitive race in 2013 at the age of 101, finishing the 10 km (6.25 mi) race of Hong Kong Marathon in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds.
After his retirement from racing, he said he hope “people will miss me and will not forget me.” He also wanted people to continue inviting him to events “Forget me completely instead because I don’t run anymore.”
“He was an extraordinary athlete with an incredible determination,” Modi said. “Suffering from their passing. My thoughts are with his family and countless fans around the world.”
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The Associated Press
