Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner, has reportedly passed away at the age of 114 years on Monday, July 14. According to reports, he was hit by an unidentified vehicle in afternoon at around 3.30 PM in his village, Beas located in Punjab's Jalandhar. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was reportedly declared dead by the hospital authorities
Who Was Fauja Singh?
Fauja Singh, known globally as the ‘Turbaned Tornado’, has inspired millions by proving that age is no barrier to chasing your passion. Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, a village in Punjab's Jalandhar district (then part of British India), Singh overcame significant physical challenges in childhood to become a symbol of endurance, resilience, and pride for the Sikh community and athletes worldwide.
Severe health concerns marked Singh's early years. He could not walk until the age of five, leading many in his family to believe he was physically disabled. His thin and frail legs made walking difficult, and long distances seemed almost impossible for the young boy.
Despite these setbacks, Singh took to farming in his youth, contributing to his family's livelihood. In 1992, after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, he moved to East London to live with his son, seeking a fresh start.
Singh at the age of 89, began training seriously and ran his first marathon at the London Marathon in 2000. Over the next few years, Fauja Singh ran nine full marathons across cities like London, Toronto, and New York. His personal best came in Toronto, where he completed the race in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 seconds. He also raised funds for various charities, promoted vegetarianism, and represented Sikh culture on the global stage.
Singh sets records on turning 100
In 2011, Singh, then 100 years old, made headlines by setting eight world age-group records in a single day. At a special meet organized by the Ontario Masters Association in Toronto, Canada, he competed in multiple track events. His official timings included:
100m – 23.14 seconds
200m – 52.23 seconds
400m – 2:13.48
800m – 5:32.18
1500m – 11:27.81
1 mile – 11:53.45
3000m – 24:52.47
5000m – 49:57.39
Fauja Singh receives numerous accolades
Fauja Singh's remarkable journey earned him several prestigious honours. In 2003, he became the first non-American to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honour, awarded for promoting racial harmony and tolerance. He was also conferred the ‘Pride of India’ title in 2011 for his achievements and contributions.
Singh also featured in a PETA campaign, becoming the oldest man to do so. He gained further international fame by starring in a major sportswear commercial, alongside legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
