NEW DELHI– Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of legendary centenarian runner Fauja Singh, calling him an “exceptional athlete with incredible determination.”
Singh, widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died at the age of 114 after being struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing a road in his native village of Beas Pind near Jalandhar, Punjab, on Monday.
Sharing his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi wrote,
“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. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
Fauja Singh, an Indian-British Sikh of Punjabi descent, rose to global fame as a symbol of resilience and perseverance. Remarkably, he began running competitively in his late 80s after moving to England, using the sport as a way to cope with the grief of losing his fifth son in a construction accident in 1994.
He completed his first marathon at the age of 89 and went on to participate in over 100 marathons worldwide. At 100, he achieved an extraordinary feat—setting eight world records for his age group in a single day at the Fauja Singh Invitational Meet in Toronto, Canada.
Singh lived in Ilford, East London, with one of his sons and became a household name in the running world. He was featured as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics and was honored with the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2015 New Year Honours for his contributions to sport and charity.
His biography, Turbaned Tornado, was officially released in the Attlee Room of the UK’s House of Lords on July 7, 2011.
Fauja Singh’s life story and accomplishments continue to inspire millions, proving that age is no barrier to greatness. (Source: IANS)
