Makhan Singh (Indian athlete)

Infobox Indian Athlete
playername = Makhan Singh


fullname = Makhan Singh
dateofbirth = birth date|1937|7|1|mf=y
cityofbirth = Bathulla
countryofbirth = India
dateofdeath = death date and age|2002|1|21|1937|7|1|mf=y
cityofdeath = Chabbewal
countryofdeath = India
nickname =
stream = Sprint
arjunaaward = 1964
padmashri =
padmabhushan =
padmavibhushan =
games = National Games
gold = 12
silver = 3
bronze = 1

Makhan Singh (July 01, 1937 – January 21, 2002) [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020122/sports.htm#10 The Tribune] "dated" January 22, 2002 "accessed" November 13, 2006.] 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 Cold 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. [ [http://sportal.nic.in/legenddetails.asp?sno=583&moduleid=&maincatid=5&subid=0&comid=55 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Website] "accessed" Nov 13, 2006.]

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

Notes