Famous wrestler and double bronze medalist in 1974 Tehran Asian Games Sukhchain Singh Cheema was killed in a road accident near Patiala bypass on Thursday, 11 January.
The 67-year old wrestler was returning home from his farm in Bhanri village on Thursday evening when the accident occurred, police said. The accident took place near Shermajra chowk in Patiala.
A car coming from Rajpura side rammed into Cheema's vehicle, which turned turtle. He succumbed to his injuries in the local hospital.
Cheema, a Dronacharya awardee, is survived by his wife and two sons. He was awarded the prestigious title in 2004 by the then President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Cheema was the son of 'Rustum-e-Hind' wrestler Kesar Singh Cheema.
Sukhchain, who was running a Rustem-e-Hind Akhara in Patiala, had bagged double bronze medals during Tehran Asian Games in 1974.
He won medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman style category.
Cheema's son Palwinder Singh Cheema who is a DSP in Punjab police, was also 'Rustum-e-Hind.'
Meanwhile, the local government, cultural affairs & tourism minister, Punjab Navjot Singh Sidhu has expressed profound grief at the demise of Cheema.
Condoling the demise, the minister said that Cheema belonged to a family of illustrious sportsmen and his father ‘Rustum-E-Hind’ Kesar Singh Cheema was an Olympian and son Arjuna Awardee Olympian Palwinder Singh Cheema is a 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the 120 kg category.
(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at lettertoindia@thequint.com. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)