Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, who passed away at the age of 114 in a road accident in Punjab. Singh died on Monday after being hit by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road in his native village Beas Pind near Jalandhar.
“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,” the prime minister said.
He added, “Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
Fauja Singh, known globally for his remarkable achievements in long-distance running, became a symbol of determination and strength, especially for the elderly.
He was widely respected for completing marathons well past the age of 100 and continued to inspire people around the world with his passion for fitness. Taking up the sport at the age of 89, he went on to complete more than 100 marathons.
Born on April 1, 1911, in undivided Punjab, Fauja Singh faced personal tragedy in the 1990s when his fifth son died in a construction accident. To cope with the loss, he turned to running. Later, after moving to England, he began participating in international events and soon became a celebrated figure in the global athletics community.
He was based in Ilford, London, where he lived with one of his sons.
Over the years, he became a regular face at marathons and long-distance running events across the world, especially in the Masters’ category. At the age of 100, he set eight world age-group records in a single day at a special athletics meet in Canada.
He also carried the Olympic torch during the 2012 London Games and was honoured with the British Empire Medal in 2015 for his contributions to sport and charity.
Fauja Singh’s life story was documented in his biography titled Turbaned Tornado, which was released at the British House of Lords in 2011. Tributes poured in from across the world following the news of his passing, as people remembered him not only for his athletic milestones but also for his inspiring life journey.
(With inputs from the Press Trust of India)
