Milkha Singh was a remarkable athlete. He succeeded remarkably as a sprinter. His journey from a war-torn childhood to becoming a national hero inspired millions. Milkha Singh had an undying passion for running. He participated in the Olympics and other international events. Milkha was highly dedicated and determined. He was a legend in Indian sports history. For Milkha Singh early lif was full of challenges. It is an excellent example of a passionate success. His story inspires the youth to aim for greatness. It tells them to overcome hardship.
| Bio Table | |
| Full Name | Milkha Singh |
| Known as | The Flying Sikh |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1929 |
| Age (As of 2021) | 91 years old |
| Death | June 18, 2021 |
| Hometown | Govindpura, Muzaffargarh, Punjab (now in Pakistan) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Caste | Sikh Jatt |
| Profession | Athlete (Sprinter) |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Coach/Mentor | Ranbir Singh |
| Net Worth (As of June 18, 2021) | Estimated to be around $2 million |
| Marital status | Married |
| Marriage Date | 1962 |
| Education | Enrolled in Army educational programs after joining the Indian Army |
Table of Contents
Who Is He?
Milkha Singh was an iconic Indian sprinter. He attained fame with his extraordinary performance in athletics.
Milkha Singh represented India in several prestigious international competitions. He also participated in the Olympics. He narrowly missed a medal but earned global respect. His relentless dedication and passion for running set new benchmarks in Indian sports.
Milkha Singh’s discipline, hard work, and fighting spirit became his defining traits. He symbolised determination and excellence. He inspired youth to pursue their dreams against all odds.
Early life
Milkha Singh grew up in challenging circumstances. He faced immense hardships during the Partition of India. Violence and turmoil surrounded him. It forced him to flee his home.
Milkha found refuge in India. However, his journey was far from easy. He struggled to survive, often without food or shelter. Despite these difficulties, he kept moving forward.
Running became an outlet for his energy and emotions. He discovered his talent for speed early on. It led him to pursue athletics, which gave him purpose and direction. Milkha Singh’s early life resilience in adversity shaped his path as a legendary sprinter.
Education
Milkha Singh did his early schooling at a village school. After the Partition, he moved to India. He struggled to continue his studies as his focus shifted to survival.
Milkha joined the Indian Army and resumed his education. The Army gave him training and support. He received further education through army programs. It shaped his discipline and career.
Milkha did not pursue formal higher education. However, he had a crucial time in the Army. It gave him both physical training and educational growth. Ultimately, his experiences in the Army guided him towards his athletic career.
| Family Table | |
| Father’s name | Sampuran Singh |
| Mother’s name | Chawali Kaur |
| Sister/Brother name | Malkhan Singh (Brother) Ishvar Singh (Sister) |
| Wife name | Nirmal Kaur |
| Children name | Jeev Milhkha Singh Mona Milkha Singh Aleeza Grover Sonia Sanwalka |
Family
Milkha Singh came from a large Sikh family. His father, Sampuran Singh, was a farmer. His mother, Chawali Kaur, managed the household. They lived a simple life in rural Punjab.
Milkha Singh’s early life says he had many siblings, including his brother, Malkhan Singh. The family was close-knit and hardworking. They supported each other through the challenges of farming life.
Partition shattered their peaceful existence. Milkha lost most of his family to the erupted violence. It affected him deeply. But it also shaped his life. Despite the hardships, his family remained a source of strength in his memories.
Career
Milkha Singh’s early life career began after he joined the Indian Army. There, he discovered his talent for running. His speed and dedication quickly made him stand out. He competed in national and international competitions. He earned fame as one of India’s best sprinters.
Milkha represented India in the Olympics and other prestigious events. His most notable race was the four hundred meters at the Rome Olympics. He narrowly missed a medal.
Over the years, he set records and won numerous titles. Even after retiring, Milkha remained an icon in Indian sports. His legacy continued to inspire many until his death.
Famous for
Milkha Singh is famous as one of India’s greatest sprinters. His speed and determination made him different from others. Milkha Singh’s 400-meter record earned him the title of The Flying Sikh.
Milkha gained global recognition for his performance in the Rome Olympics. He finished fourth in a close race. People admire him for his resilience over hardships.
Milkha was a symbol of hope and inspiration in Indian athletics. He was very much dedicated to sports. He became a legend for his ability to overcome adversity.
Achievement
Milkha Singh was famous as one of India’s top athletes. In the Army, he quickly gained recognition for his speed. He won gold medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 1958 and 1962. The Rome Olympics race was his most famous sprint. He finished fourth in the four hundred meters. He set national records that stood for years.
Milkha’s achievements inspired future generations of Indian athletes. His legacy earned him respect. People admired him even in retirement.
Death
Milkha Singh died on June 18, 2021. He died due to COVID-19 complications. He was hospitalised for several weeks before his death. Despite receiving medical treatment, his condition worsened. His passing was widely mourned globally. Many people paid tribute to his remarkable life and achievements.
Milkha’s death marked the end of an era for Indian athletics. His contributions to sports are unmatchable. His inspirational story left a lasting legacy. Fans and fellow athletes paid tribute and honoured his memory. They celebrated his extraordinary life and career.
Unknown Facts
Milkha Singh initially wanted to become a soldier. He became an athlete because he wanted to join the Army.
After reading the Autobiography of the Canadian Sprinter Percy Williams, he took running seriously.
Milkha’s wife, Nirmal Kaur, was the first Indian woman to be selected for the Asian Games.
He trained under the guidance of renowned coach Ranbir Singh. He played a crucial role in his development as a sprinter.
Despite his success, Milkha struggled with stage fright. He used to experience nervousness before important races.
Indian athletes are achieving greatness in Olympics. Just recently, Manu Bhaker secured 2 medals in the Paris Olympics. Want to know more about her? Read Manu Bhaker’s biography.
FAQs
He was born into the Sikh Rathore Rajput family. Hence, he was a Sikh Rajput.
Milkha was invited to race in Pakistan. General Ayub Khan gave him the title when he beat Khaliq in the 200-meter race.
He was orphaned during India’s Partition. In Milkha Singh’s early life, he worked in a restaurant to feed himself. Later, he pursued his dream of becoming a soldier by joining the Indian Army.
Milkha Singh’s 400-meter record is of 45.73 seconds. It became his identity after that.
The early life of Milkha Singh was challenging, to say the least. From losing most of his family in the partition to making it as a star athlete is not an easy task.
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