Milkha Singh, popularly known as ‘The Flying Sikh’ was an Indian Track and Field Sprinter. Born on 20th November,1929, in Govindpura, Punjab, British India (present-day Pakistan), he moved to Delhi after the partition in 1947. At one point in his life he considered becoming a dacoit but was convinced by one of his brothers to try joining the Indian Army. In 1951, he successfully entered the army after his fourth attempt. It was the army that introduced him to athletics. He was handpicked for training after he finished sixth among 400 soldiers in a cross-country race. He came into limelight during the 1956 National Games. In the 1958 National Games held at Cuttack, he broke the record in the 200m and 400m event.

International Career: Highlights

• Milkha Singh started his international career from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He represented India in the 200m and 400m category. Although he couldn’t get past the heat stages, meeting champion Charles Jenkins at the games inspired him greatly.
• In 1958, he won 2 gold medals in the 200m and 400m events at the Asian Games. He then won a gold medal in the 400m competition at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, which were held the same year, with a time of 46.6 seconds. This made him the first gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games from independent India.
• In 1960, after his successful race against Abdul Khaliq in Pakistan, a post-race comment by General Ayub Khan led him to acquire the title of The Flying Sikh.
• In the 1960 olympics, running at the 400m event, he was leading till the 200m mark but he slowed down and ended up finishing fourth. He finished the race with a timing of 45.73 seconds, setting a National Record that stood for 40 years.
• In the 1962 Asian Games, Milkha Singh won 2 gold medals, one in 400m and the other in 4 x 100m relay.

After his success in the 1958 Asian Games, Milkha Singh was promoted from the rank of sepoy to junior commissioned officer. Post his retirement, he became the Director of Sports in Punjab Ministry of Education, a post he held till 1998. He has been awarded with Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour.

His Autobiography ‘The Race of My Life’ which he co-wrote with his daughter was published in 2013. This inspired the biographical film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’.
Milkha Singh died on 18th June, 2021 in Chandigarh, at the age of 91, due to pneumonia caused by COVID-19.