Makhan Singh (athlete)

Makhan Singh

Personal information
Full name	Makhan Singh
Born	July 1, 1937(1937-07-01) Bathulla, India
Died	January 21, 2002(2002-01-21) (aged 64) Chabbewal, India
Sport
Country	India
Medal record Sprint Competitor for  India National Games Gold 12 Silver 3 Bronze 1

Makhan Singh (Punjabi: ਮਖਣ ਸਿੰਘ; July 1, 1937 – January 21, 2002)^[1] was one of the illustrious Indian athletes during the 1960s. He was born in Bathulla village in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. He claimed to fame as a result of his famous victories over Milkha Singh in the 1964 National Games in Kolkata. He won a number of gold medals in National Games, and represented India in the 1962 Asian Games.

Career

His first taste of success was a bronze in the National Games in Cuttack in 1959. He then hit the high spots with the National Games in Delhi the following year when he won a gold in the short sprint and a silver in the 300 metres. He was to continue with this success in subsequent National Games, winning a gold and a silver at Madras in 1960, 4 Gold at Jabalpur in 1962 and 2 Cold and one Silver at Trivandrurn in 1963. But his greatest triumph was the 1964 National Games in Calcutta where, apart from scoring a sensational win over Milkha, he picked up four Gold Medals for an impressive personal tally. He represented India in the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta where he won a relay gold in 4 x 400 metres and a Silver in the 400 metres.

For Makhan Singh, the artillery gunner, the National Games had Special significance. He took part in all the Games from 1959 to 1964 and won a total of 12 gold, three silver and one bronze, the last one in Calcutta where he signed off being his most outing.^[2]

He was a Subedar in the Indian Army and retired in 1972. He later met with an accident, losing a leg. He died in penury in 2002.^[3]

Notes

1. ^ The Tribune dated January 22, 2002 accessed November 13, 2006.
2. ^ Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Website accessed Nov 13, 2006.
3. ^ Winner takes all

Persondata
Name	Singh, Makhan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 1, 1937
Place of birth	Bathulla, India
Date of death	January 21, 2002
Place of death	Chabbewal, India