PM Modi condoles the passing of legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh; participated in first race at age 89, made 8 world records at 100
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today condoled the passing of Shri Fauja Singh, whose extraordinary persona and unwavering spirit made him a source of inspiration across generations. PM hailed him as an exceptional athlete with incredible determination.
In a post on X, he said: “Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
Participated in first race at age 89
Fauja Singh passed at the age of 114. In the year 2000, Fauja Singh participated in a marathon race for the first time in London.
Singh at the age of 89, began training seriously and ran his first marathon at the London Marathon in 2000. Over the next few years, Fauja Singh ran nine full marathons across cities like London, Toronto, and New York. His personal best came in Toronto, where he completed the race in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 seconds. He also raised funds for various charities, promoted vegetarianism, and represented Sikh culture on the global stage.
After this, Fauja Singh became a part of marathons held in many cities.
According to his family, Fauja Singh was going towards a dhaba on the other side of the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway, when a vehicle going from Jalandhar to Pathankot hit him.
The family said, "Fauja Singh was admitted to the hospital, but he died shortly after."
Turbaned Tornado
Fauja Singh, known globally as the ‘Turbaned Tornado’, has inspired millions by proving that age is no barrier to chasing your passion. Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, a village in Punjab's Jalandhar district (then part of British India), Singh overcame significant physical challenges in childhood to become a symbol of endurance, resilience, and pride for the Sikh community and athletes worldwide.
Severe health concerns marked his early years
Severe health concerns marked Singh's early years. He could not walk until the age of five, leading many in his family to believe he was physically disabled. His thin and frail legs made walking difficult, and long distances seemed almost impossible for the young boy.
Despite these setbacks, Singh took to farming in his youth, contributing to his family's livelihood. In 1992, after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, he moved to East London to live with his son, seeking a fresh start.
Made 8 world records at age 100
In 2011, Singh, then 100 years old, made headlines by setting eight world age-group records in a single day. At a special meet organized by the Ontario Masters Association in Toronto, Canada, he competed in multiple track events. His official timings included:
Prakash Kumar Pandey