Padma Shri awardee Milkha Singh has always been held at the highest respect for his achievements in athletics at the world stage. However, it was the 2013 biographical film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag that informed the younger generation about the legendary runner's story.
Orphaned and separated from his family during India’s partition, Milkha Singh was introduced to competitive athletics while serving in the Indian army. Besides representing India at the three editions of the Olympic Games – 1956, 1960 and 1964 – he won gold at the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games.
As the ‘Flying Sikh’ turns 88, here’s a look at three of his most memorable races.
1958 Commonwealth Games: The Historic Gold
Competing with world class athletes, Milkha Singh was an unknown name at the 1958 Commonwealth Games. But that was before the 440 yards race final. The simple boy from Punjab, with no real training, sped past South Africa's Malcolm Spence and made history that day – he was the first Commonwealth Games gold medallist from Independent India.
In fact, Singh had been the only Indian male to have won an individual athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, until Vikas Gowda clinched one at the 2014 edition.
Milkha Singh’s Big Wins
- Gold - 200m, 1958 Asian Games
- Gold - 400m, 1958 Asian Games
- Gold - 440 yards, 1958 Commonwealth Games
- Gold - 1960 International Athletic Meet, Lahore
- 4th Place - 400m, 1960 Summer Olympics
- Gold - 400m, 1962 Asian Games
- Gold, 4x400m relay, 1962 Asian Games
The 1960 Olympics Agony
Milkha Singh’s second appearance at the Olympic Games back in 1960 is perhaps his most talked about race. The ‘Flying Sikh’ finished the 400m event fourth – losing the bronze to his South African rival from Cardiff, Malcolm Spence.
Entering the race as one of the favourites, Singh had been leading for the first 250m. However, at one point he slowed down and turned out, which ended up costing him a podium finish.
Emotional Pakistan Win in 1960
Haunted by the memories of watching his parents and siblings getting killed during the partition, Milkha Singh had refused to take part in the 1960 International Athletic competition in Pakistan. However, it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who had told the runner that it was important to maintain friendly ties with the neighbours, which made Singh change his mind.
During the tournament, Milkha Singh’s rivalry with Pakistan's Abdul Khaliq in the 200m event had become the talk of the town. And despite not having too much support in the stands, it was the Indian who won the gold, while Khaliq settled for a bronze. At the presentation ceremony of this tournament, Gen Ayub Khan had called Singh the ‘Flying Sikh’ – a title that has stuck around till date.
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