Mirabai Chanu has made India proud at Olympics 2020

Global IndianstoryMirabai Chanu: The accidental weightlifter who tackled major setbacks to clinch Olympics glory

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Mirabai Chanu: The accidental weightlifter who tackled major setbacks to clinch Olympics glory

Written by: Global Indian

(July 23, 9:05 am)

Chanu Saikhom Mirabai‘s historic win at Tokyo Olympics 2020 is nothing short of a Bollywood film script. A girl from a small village in Manipur who picked firewood from the jungle as a teenager becomes the first Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic silver medal. But like every potboiler, this story isn’t without its share of twists and turns. It has the determination of an athlete, the struggles of a teenager, the support of family, the guidance of a coach, the thrill of competition, bouts of depression, the disappointment of failure, and the glory of a historic victory.

Chanu was just another medal contender at Olympics before the sporting spectacle kickstarted. But the 26-year-old weightlifter became a household name after clinching a silver by lifting a total of 202kg to give India its very first medal at Tokyo 2020.

Chanu’s victory on the very first day of the Olympics has energized India’s contingent.

But like many sportspersons, Chanu had her share of struggles before reaching the zenith of glory.

When supplies were limited

Born in an impoverished family in Manipur’s Nongpok Kakching, Chanu was the youngest among six siblings. With a meager monthly income of ₹4,000 to make ends meet, life wasn’t easy for the Saikhoms. As a 5-year-old, Chanu often carried buckets full of water on her head carefully balancing her way on the steep inclines while her brothers made their way to the nearby jungle to pick firewoods.

It was great to meet and congratulate the pride of India and honour of Indian Rly, @mirabai_chanu. Also felicitated her & announced Rs. 2 Cr , a promotion and more. She has inspired billions around the world with her talent, handwork and grit.
Keep winning for India! pic.twitter.com/gYRftarOrr

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) July 26, 2021

During one such trip, Chanu accompanied her older brother into the hills. It was a typical day for the siblings but something was about to change for Chanu. The 12-year-old Chanu lifted a heavy stack of firewoods that her brother, who was four years elder to her, failed to do. This incident spread like wildfire in their village, and her strength to lift heavy woods became the talk of the town.

How Kunjarini Devi inspired Mirabai Chanu

This pushed her towards her dream of becoming a sportsperson. However, it was archery that Chanu had her eyes on. In the pursuit of fulfilling her dreams, she found herself at the gates of the Sports Authority of India center at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal in 2008. But fate had other plans: She was unable to find any archery training session that day and instead chanced upon a few clips of popular Manipuri weightlifter Kunjarani Devi at the sports hall. Inspired by the seven-time silver medallist, Chanu found her calling in weightlifting.

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A post shared by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu)

In a few days, she found herself under the tutelage of coach Anita Chanu. With no weightlifting infrastructure in her village, she traveled about 18 kilometers every day from home to the stadium, changing two buses or at times, taking a lift from a truck that passed through their village. A young Chanu toiled hard to maintain a balance between her studies and the love for weightlifting.

In a conversation with Indian Express, her mom Tombi Devi, opened up about Chanu’s struggles.

“Sometimes, she would travel on sand trucks or cycle to Imphal. There were days when she would have fare for only half the distance and would walk back home. Sometimes, her elder sisters would save money from their weaving and give her money for fare or other training expenses. The only thing which she did not lack was will power.”

Under the wings of her coach, Chanu was unstoppable as she became the junior national champion in Chattisgarh in 2009, before making her debut in the national camp in 2011. She was determined to make India proud, someday, and she did exactly that in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. On the opening day of the competition, Chanu announced her arrival with a bang when she clinched a silver at the sporting spectacle.

The heartbreaking loss at Rio Olympics

With her stunning win at the Commonwealth Games, all eyes were on Chanu at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But the Padma Shri awardee failed to lift the weight in any of her three attempts in clean and jerk section. She froze. The heartbreaking defeat left the weightlifter depressed.

“My performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics was rather bad. I had failed in clean and jerk. I was really disappointed and depressed. My parents and my coach were there to motivate me throughout. But I realised that thinking too much about negatives, about what is not working, only increases the problem. I used to spend time with myself in the evenings, telling myself my future plans for which I needed to work harder. This method really helps me during any trouble, big or small,” she told HT Brunch.

But Chanu was determined to get back and march onward. After her Rio debacle, she silenced her detractors by winning gold in the 2017 World Championship. She did not stop there. The very next year, she became the first Indian athlete to bag gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

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A post shared by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chan

For the next two years, she was on a spree of breaking her own records. After lifting 210kg at the 2019 World Weighlifting Championship, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award winner took it a notch higher with a gold medal at National Weightlifting Championship in Kolkata in 2020.

Though the athlete was on a blitzkrieg, her back issue played a spoiler more than once. And that’s when coach Vijay Sharma took her to the US to train and recover under Dr. Aaron Horschig, an eminent physiotherapist. A few corrective exercises along with some tweaks helped Chanu secure bronze in the Asian Championships at Taskent in April 2021.

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A post shared by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu)

The historic win at Tokyo Olympics

Filled with enthusiasm, Chanu was ready to take on her biggest competitor Zhihui Hou from China at Tokyo Olympics. And sure she did. A day after boxer Mary Kom and Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony, Chanu showed her mettle at the biggest sporting spectacle.

Ending the 21-year-long wait in a few minutes, Chanu pocketed a silver in weightlifting in the 49kg category, thus becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal at the Olympics and the first-ever Indian to win an Olympic medal on Day 1 of the Summer Games.

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A post shared by Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu)

The historic win not only opened India’s tally ay Olympics but also turned out to be a beacon of hope.

“I came here after years of hard work and when I stood on the podium, I forgot about the fatigue for some time as it’s like a dream come true,” she told WION after her historic win.

But it was her craving for pizza that melted many hearts. Being put on a strict diet for the competition, it was a pizza that Chanu dearly missed during her preparation. Encashing on the brand bandwagon, Dominos has offered lifetime free pizza to Chanu.

@Mirabai_chanu Congratulations on bringing the medal home! 🙌🏽🥈You brought the dreams of a billion+ Indians to life and we couldn’t be happier to treat you to FREE Domino’s pizza for life 🍕😊
Congratulations again!! #DominosPizza #PizzasForLife #Tokyo2020 #MirabaiChanu https://t.co/Gf5TLlYdBi

— dominos_india (@dominos_india) July 24, 2021

She always maintained a strict diet regime. In a conversation with NDTV, Chanu said:

“I didn’t eat anything for two days before the competition because I was concerned about my weight.”

Two days after her epic win, the buzz has it that Chanu might be next in line to get her medal upgraded after gold medalist Zhihi Hou has been asked to take anti-doping tests. If Zhizhi Hou fails the test, Chanu will become the first Indian woman ever to win gold in weight lifting at Olympics.

Editor’s Take

History isn’t created every day. There are only a handful of people who bring pride to their nation, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is one of them. The Padma Shri awardee has many laurels to her credit, but it’s her epic win at the Tokyo Olympics that has made her a household name. With her grit and perseverance, the 26-year-old has put India on the world map. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and relentless discipline. One hopes that her success inspires more Indians, especially from the Northeast, to take up weightlifting.

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Published on 27, Jul 2021

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The Marathon Man: Murthy RK is all set to complete all six of the world’s top 42k races

(August 1, 2024) Running to stay fit has held Murthy R K, in good stead personally and professionally. The accomplished Indian marathoner, Murthy has completed over 50 marathons, 75 half marathons, and 100 five to ten-kilometer races, including the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, London Marathon and Berlin Marathon. He has his eyes trained on Tokyo now, and once he completes it, will be one of only around 200 Indians to have attempted all of the world's top six marathons. He has also represented India in the Asian and World Masters Athletics Championships. “I have always been an avid runner, representing my educational institutions at the state and national levels and winning awards,” he tells Global Indian. He first started with the Mumbai Marathon 11 years ago. The race is held on the third Sunday of January every year. Running through the streets of Mumbai, with the crowd cheering, offering sweets, juice, and fruits, and playing music while dancing, is exhilarating. “Crossing the sea link bridge on foot is an out-of-this-world experience. I've participated in the Mumbai Marathon for 11 consecutive years and have no intention of stopping. If you're a runner, I highly recommend running the Mumbai

utive years and have no intention of stopping. If you're a runner, I highly recommend running the Mumbai Marathon at least once in your lifetime,” he says. He is also a techie by profession, has done stints at various corporates and currently works at Sonata Software.

[caption id="attachment_53098" align="aligncenter" width="379"] Murthy RK | Indian marathoner | Global Indian Murthy RK has taken part in all the world's most important marathons[/caption]

Marathon calling

Having run distances ranging from 3000 meters to 350 kilometres, Murthy has set official records for running more than 50 marathons, 75 half marathons, and 100 plus five to ten-kilometre. The longest distance he has run is 350 kilometres, from Bangalore to Subramanya Temple in Mangalore, accomplished over five days. Interestingly, he has also represented India in the Asian & World Masters Athletics Championships. The Asian master’s is like other Track & Field events but is designed for athletes above 35 years of age. Regular focused training is must for any races and must for such international races. The competition is as intense as any Asian championship, with participants from across the continent.

“When I last competed in Malaysia, I secured fourth place in the 10,000-meter race, overtaking several participants from Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and other countries. Finishing in top 10 is not at all easy and it’s a very happy feeling. My advantage lay in my competitiveness and years of practice. I consistently logged 65-75 kilometres weekly, honing my skills.” This dedication paid off during competitive events, and he has won more than 25-30 races over the last few years in my age group across India. “I qualified for the Masters Athletic Championship, designed for athletes over 35 years old.” This is no easy feat, and the competition, which is intense, even includes former Olympians and World Championship athletes. “I also had the honour of representing India at the Asian Masters in Kuching, Malaysia, and the World Masters in Malaga, Spain,” he says.

How to keep going

Having been part of World Major Marathons he says that staying prepared has been key from the start. His journey began with running distances of 21–42 kilometres, exploring trails across India and internationally, often combining these events with family vacations. “I discovered the circuit of the six World Major Marathons: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo. Participants who complete all six marathons receive a special medal combining all six. So far, fewer than 200 Indians have achieved this feat. I have completed five, with only the Tokyo marathon remaining,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_53100" align="aligncenter" width="349"] Murthy RK | Indian marathoner | Global Indian At the Boston Marathon[/caption]

Each of the six marathons is unique, which earns them worldwide popularity. When he ran Boston in April 2024, there were over 30,000 plus participants; in London, there were 57,000 plus. Berlin and Chicago are known for their fast and flat courses, making them ideal for setting personal bests. In contrast, Boston and New York are considered the toughest due to their rolling hill courses. London is renowned for its large crowds, and Tokyo for its cleanliness and organization.

“Preparation and planning for each marathon vary based on the terrain and personal goals. Qualifying for these races, along with registration, hotel bookings, flights, and visa arrangements, can take nearly a year. Beyond the logistical planning, training involves balancing running with health, associated injuries, while addressing the call of duty - work, family, etc. Ultimately, the feeling of completing these races is indescribable and must be experienced to be truly understood,” he adds.

Fitness Cues

Training for a marathon is one of the most demanding aspects of the preparation. Covering 26 miles (42 kilometres) of continuous running is not for the faint-hearted. It typically takes me around three and a half hours to complete; for some, it may take 5-6 hours. “Consistent, daily training is essential. Despite having a solid training plan or a coach, race day can bring unexpected challenges that test both mental and physical coordination. You can plan and strategize for the distance, but once you are on the course, things may not always go as expected. Your body’s response can vary, and unforeseen issues can arise. For example, during my Boston Marathon I had to walk nearly half the distance due to severe muscle cramps, struggling to drag my feet to the finish line,” he says.

Discipline First

Discipline is crucial for marathon running, and for him the 3Cs - consistency, commitment, and continuity are essential. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve maintained a routine of waking up around 4:30 AM every day. I train for at least two hours on weekdays and over four hours on weekends. On Saturdays, I run 30-35 km, a distance some might not even drive. In addition to running, focusing on core strength and flexibility is important. Maintaining body weight requires mindful eating habits. I avoid coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks, indulge in sweets only occasionally, and abstain from alcohol and smoking. While some friends joke about my strict regimen, the discipline and results make it worthwhile,” he says.

Murthy RK | Indian marathoner | Global Indian

Stay Focused

Murthy believes in dedicating 10,000 hours to achieve mastery in any field. With a clear goal and strong commitment, he believes you can overcome any obstacle. “My advice to aspiring runners is to commit fully, set achievable goals, join a supportive group, work with a coach, start gradually, and aim for incremental milestones. Running is physically demanding, and injuries are common, so it is crucial to know your limits and avoid overexertion. Commitment remains essential to overcoming challenges,” he says.

For someone who has gained valuable insights from distance running, he believes that running parallels life, a marathon, not a sprint. Enduring aches and pains to complete a 42-kilometer race mirrors the challenges of life's journey. “Your condition at the start differs from when you finish. Despite the hardships, the sense of accomplishment upon crossing the finish line and earning a medal inspires you to plan your next race. Running is about taking one step after another, allowing time to reflect on work, family, and solutions to problems. It fosters discipline, commitment, and consistency,” he says. Murthy is clear that he is always preparing for his next run. “My mind is always focused on planning the distance to cover and the timing for achieving it. I am eagerly anticipating my participation in the World Masters Athletics Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, in August 2024, marking my second appearance, and the Tokyo Marathon in March 2025 to complete my six stars in the World Major Marathons,” he says. Amen to that.

Follow Murthy RK on Instagram.

Meet the Indians who brought home Olympic laurels

When Milkha Singh participated in the 1960 Rome Olympics, he missed bagging a medal by a whisker. The regret stayed with him for the rest of his life. The ace sprinter hoped that one day an Indian would bring home an Olympics medal. While we may not yet have cracked the track and field games yet, India has managed to bring home 26 medals so far – 9 gold, 6 silver, and 11 bronze. The country now has its hopes pinned on the new set of athletes set to compete at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. This International Olympic Day (June 23, 2021), Global Indian revisits the journeys of some of India’s Olympic medalists. PV Sindhu, Badminton [caption id="attachment_3752" align="alignnone" width="402"] PV Sindhu[/caption] PV Sindhu has many firsts and records to her credit. The most prominent of course would be her silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. When she qualified for the finals at the event, she became the first Indian badminton player to do so. Then there’s the fact that she is the first Indian to become the Badminton World Champion. Sindhu went on to win several medals and is currently ranked at number 7 in the world in the women’s singles category. This year, she is the

[caption id="attachment_3752" align="alignnone" width="402"] Meet the Indians who brought home Olympic laurels PV Sindhu[/caption]

PV Sindhu has many firsts and records to her credit. The most prominent of course would be her silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. When she qualified for the finals at the event, she became the first Indian badminton player to do so. Then there’s the fact that she is the first Indian to become the Badminton World Champion. Sindhu went on to win several medals and is currently ranked at number 7 in the world in the women’s singles category. This year, she is the only Indian women’s singles player to have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, where she hopes to bag the gold. To gear up, she is religiously putting in five to six hours of practice with her coach Park Tae Sang.

Sindhu’s love for badminton began when she was 8. Though both her parents, PV Ramana and P Vijaya, are volleyball players, for Sindhu it was badminton that always held the charm. She began training with Mehboob Ali at the badminton courts of the Indian Railway Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications in Secunderabad, before joining the Gopichand Badminton Academy run by Pullela Gopichand, her childhood idol. Despite living 56 kilometers away from the Academy, Sindhu always made it a point to report on time for practice. Her wins in the international arena have catapulted her to the top 10 in the world and she has also been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna as well as the Padma Shri. In January 2020, Sindhu was honored with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

Abhinav Bindra, Shooter

[caption id="attachment_3753" align="alignnone" width="273"] Meet the Indians who brought home Olympic laurels Abhinav Bindra[/caption]

Abhinav Bindra made history when he bagged a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 10m Air Rifle event. This was India’s first gold medal at the Olympics since 1980 when the men’s hockey team won the laurels. He also won nine medals at the Commonwealth Games and three gold medals at the Asian Games. A child prodigy, Bindra began training at the age of 15 with his first coach Lt Col JS Dhillon. He was the youngest participant at the 2000 Sydney Olympics where he finished 11th. He won the Arjuna Award at the age of 18 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna at 19; he also received the Padma Bhushan after his success at the Olympics.

However, his success story is not the typical one of an athlete battling poverty and all odds before attaining glory. This is also perhaps why; detractors doubted his sincerity and determination early on. He belongs to an affluent Punjabi family and is the CEO of Abhinav Futuristics, the sole distributor of the Walther brand of rifles and pistols in India. But few know that Bindra has established the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Sporting Trust through which he works with schools to promote shooting at the grassroots level through technical and financial assistance. He retired from sports in 2016 and is a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

Vijender Singh, Boxing

[caption id="attachment_3754" align="alignnone" width="445"] Meet the Indians who brought home Olympic laurels Vijender Singh[/caption]

Vijender Singh made history when he won a bronze in the middleweight category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics; it was the first Olympic medal in boxing by an Indian. He went on to bag bronze medals at the 2009 World Championships and the 2010 Commonwealth Games as well as silver medals at the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Interestingly, Vijender took up boxing as a means to secure a stable government job. Growing up in a middle class household in Haryana, Vijender always dreamed of a stable job for a secure future. Until, his win at the Olympics turned the tide and catapulted him into the big league. Though he rose through the ranks in the domestic circuit, his performance failed to fetch him the job he’d dreamed of. Which is when he was asked to aim for the Olympics, for that might improve his chances of landing a government job. When he prepared for the 2004 Athens Olympics, it was for the same reason. However, he soon bowed out following an opening-round loss.

Things began to change when the Indian boxing coach GS Sandhu insisted that the athletes watched every bout in their category. This gave Vijender a glimpse of the best in action; more importantly, the medal ceremony spurred him. Back home, he got back into the game with a renewed purpose and gave it his all. The rest as they say is history.

Mary Kom, Boxing

[caption id="attachment_3756" align="alignnone" width="575"] Meet the Indians who brought home Olympic laurels MC Mary Kom[/caption]

MC Mary Kom became the first and only Indian woman to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics where she won a bronze medal in the flyweight category. She has been ranked as the world’s No. 1 female light-flyweight by the International Boxing Association and is the first Indian woman boxer to win gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games as well as at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Born into a poor family in Manipur, Mary initially participated in sports such as volleyball, football and athletics while in school. However, she was inspired by the success of Dingko Singh and decided to switch from athletics to boxing in 2000. She initially hid her interest in boxing from her father, who feared that it might spoil her chances of marriage. He finally learnt of it when Mary’s picture appeared in a newspaper after she won the state boxing championship. She had to overcome staunch objection from her family to move to Imphal to pursue a career in boxing where she persuaded a local coach, K Kosana Meitei, to train her. She took a short hiatus after her marriage, during which time she had two children, before returning to the sport and cinching the silver medal at the 2008 Asian Women's Boxing Championship in India. There has been no looking back ever since.

Watch Mary Kom talk about her win at the 2012 Olympics

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGixTYt6PV4[/embed]

RELATED READ: Pullela Gopichand’s journey as an athlete and coach

Reading Time: 5 mins

Neeraj Chopra: The Olympic gold medalist who beat injuries and hurdles to shine

(August 9, 2021; 7.15 pm) As the world watched with bated breath, India’s Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra, flexed his arm before he swung it in a deep arc to launch his javelin, in what can only be termed a monster throw. As it landed at 87.58 m, the audience erupted in cheers. The 23-year-old had won India its first ever gold medal in track and field, a dream that Milkha Singh once dreamed for the country. As he ran around the stadium holding the Indian flag, the country of over 1 billion celebrated: it was the first gold in any sport since Abhinav Bindra’s success in 2008. [embed]https://twitter.com/Neeraj_chopra1/status/1424297067166408705?s=20[/embed] Overwhelmed by his success, Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra told Hindustan Times that he slept with his medal close to his pillow the night he won. But did you know that just a couple of years ago, this Olympic gold medalist had a career threatening injury? Chopra had to undergo a surgery in the elbow to remove bone fragments. Incidentally, Chopra was introduced to the sport by his uncle because he was overweight as a child. He said, “I remember all those days going for training. I would just tell myself whatever is happening

t he won. But did you know that just a couple of years ago, this Olympic gold medalist had a career threatening injury? Chopra had to undergo a surgery in the elbow to remove bone fragments.

Incidentally, Chopra was introduced to the sport by his uncle because he was overweight as a child. He said, “I remember all those days going for training. I would just tell myself whatever is happening is fine. My job is to train and I will keep doing that. Now I feel that yes, it was a tough time for me but back then it didn’t feel so tough.”

From Haryana to win gold

Born in 1997 to Satish Kumar and Saroj Devi in Haryana’s Khandra village, was mercilessly teased by other children for his childhood obesity. That was when his father enrolled him at a local gym. Once, during a visit to the Panipat Sports Authority of India Centre, javelin thrower Jaiveer Choudhary noticed Chopra’s natural ability to achieve a 40-metre throw without any training. Impressed, he went on to become Chopra’s first coach.

[embed]https://twitter.com/afiindia/status/1424716045109981190?s=20[/embed]

At age 13, Chopra was admitted to the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula, a four-hour drive from his home. Here he trained under coach Naseem Ahmad who also made him train in long distance running. By 2013, Chopra had entered his first international competition, World Youth Championships in Ukraine. He won his first international medal, a silver, in 2014 at the Youth Olympics Qualification in Bangkok. At the 2016 South Asian Games, he achieved a throw of 84.23 m and won a gold medal.

That same year, he broke the under-20 world record at the IAAF World U20 Championships with an 86.48 m throw. While this could have earned him a spot at the Rio Olympics, it was past the qualification deadline and Chopra had to wait until 2021 for his turn in the spotlight.

As the world watched with bated breath, India’s Neeraj Chopra launched his javelin, in what can only be termed a monster throw.

Induction into the Indian Army

It was around this time, that the Indian Army took notice of his future potential and offered him a direct appointment as Junior Commissioned Officer in the Rajputana Rifles. His time in the Army has helped him be more disciplined. In an interview with Republic World, he said,

"I joined Army in 2016. Army has a simple rule. You have to be tough, disciplined, and work to your best. That is what an athlete's life is. They have to do the same thing. Both also have to stay away from their homes. So, although my focus is on sports, I am an Army man.”

In 2018, he became the first Indian athlete to win gold at the Asian Games and at the Commonwealth Games. His performance in the international circuit, earned him the Arjuna Award in 2018, although he was also recommended for the country’s highest sports award the Khel Ratna.

It was right around this time that an injury that could jeopardize his career struck and he had to undergo a surgery on his elbow. But he didn’t let this set him back and resumed training as soon as he could.

Chopra, who made his Olympics debut this year, stunned everyone with his monster throw of 86.65m that helped him qualify directly for the finals. As India hoped he would do equally well, if not better, at the finals, Chopra didn’t disappoint. He blazed through the finals to clinch gold for a country that had been parched for the coveted medal for years now.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW_fwcmyIfk[/embed]

Editor’s Take

Mark of a champion: He/she never rests. And just like a true champion, Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra too, has no plans of letting his Olympic glory be the end. Steadfastly focused on his sport, he’s now set his sights on achieving a 90 m throw.

Reading Time: 8 mins

Milkha Singh: The man who ran to survive and succeed

On Friday, India’s Flying Sikh breathed his last after a prolonged battle with COVID-19. The 91-year-old Milkha Singh, who’d maintained an active lifestyle right till the end, was diagnosed with Covid in May and was under home quarantine. A week later though, things took a turn for the worse and he was admitted to Mohali’s Fortis Hospital. Though he managed to beat Covid, its complications took a toll on the sports icon and he died five days after his wife of 58 years Nirmal breathed her last. [caption id="attachment_3633" align="aligncenter" width="547"] Milkha Singh and his wife Nirmal[/caption] In a tribute he posted on Instagram, Milkha Singh’s son and ace golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, said, "You have touched so many lives over the years and the impact you have made on this nation will long be remembered. Being around you has taught me how to be a better father, brother, husband and has made me into a more compassionate and empathetic human being.” Singh had won four Asian gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. In fact, running was an integral part of the sports star’s life. In an interview with the BBC he had once said that he would run for as long as six hours a day. “I would push myself so much that

In a tribute he posted on Instagram, Milkha Singh’s son and ace golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, said, "You have touched so many lives over the years and the impact you have made on this nation will long be remembered. Being around you has taught me how to be a better father, brother, husband and has made me into a more compassionate and empathetic human being.”

Singh had won four Asian gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. In fact, running was an integral part of the sports star’s life. In an interview with the BBC he had once said that he would run for as long as six hours a day. “I would push myself so much that in the end I would collapse and I would have to be admitted to the hospital, I would pray to God to save me, promise that I would be more careful in future. And then I would do it all over again,” he said.

Race for his life

Incidentally, Milkha’s tryst with running began during India’s partition when he had to flee to save his life. Born in Pakistan’s Layalpur, he had watched his parents and siblings being slaughtered; as his father breathed his last, he said, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,” urging him to run to save his life. And run he did, till he got onto a train bound for Delhi. Here he roamed disenchanted and resorted to petty crime before working in a small roadside eatery. At one point of time, he was sent to Tihar Jail for traveling ticketless in a train. His sister, Ishar, had to pawn her jewelry to secure his bail.

The tide turned in 1951 when he got recruited into the Indian Army in his fourth attempt. He ran a cross- country race of five miles (his first race) when army coach Gurdev Singh promised an extra glass of milk to those who finished in the top 10. Singh finished sixth and was selected for special training in the 400m category. There was no turning back since then and he went on to become India’s first sporting superstar.

Watch the race from 1960 here

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kanvHKmMwSM[/embed]

Singh won Gold at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, becoming the first Indian athlete to do so. His win was a watershed moment in Indian sporting history, which led then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to declare a national holiday. In 1960, he finished fourth in the 400m Rome Olympics, missing the podium by a narrow 0.01 seconds. In an interview with India Today a couple of years ago he said,

“It has been 60 years, and the miss at Rome still hurts me. I was so close."

The Flying Sikh’s record in track and field stayed intact for 52 years till Krishna Poonia won the women’s discus throw in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

[caption id="attachment_3635" align="aligncenter" width="428"] Milkha Singh with Jawaharlal Nehru[/caption]

In 1960, Singh was invited to participate in the 200m race at the International Athletic competition in Lahore, Pakistan. The athlete was reluctant to go; he hadn’t been back in Pakistan since the partition. He did go eventually, and went on to win the race, while Pakistan’s Abdul Khaliq took the bronze. It was then that General Ayub Khan, Pakistan’s second president, bestowed upon him the title of “The Flying Sikh”, a moniker that stuck with him till the end.

He once took his sister to watch a race at the National Stadium; when the starter’s gun was fired, it startled her and she thought her brother had been shot. It was only after he finished the race and rushed to console her that she drew a breath of relief.

The essence of his life

Singh retired from athletics after the 1964 Olympics, two years after winning the gold at the Asian Games held at Jakarta. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1959. Singh, who had been offered the Arjuna award (which had been instituted in 1961) in 2001, had famously turned it down, stating, “the honour was not of the stature of the services he rendered the nation.”

Singh believed in staying disciplined and fit. In fact, he would go for a jog even at the age of 91, qualities attributed to his time in the army where he was promoted from sepoy to junior commissioned offer after the 1958 Asian Games. He eventually rose to the rank of Honorary Captain. After hanging his boots, he went on to become the Director of Sports in Punjab Ministry of Education, a post he retired from in 1998.

All of Singh’s medals, along with the pair of shoes he’d worn in Rome, were donated to India and displayed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi before being moved to a sports museum in Patiala.

Singh and his daughter Sonia Sanwalka wrote his autobiography The Race of My Life, published in 2013. Singh, reportedly sold the rights to the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag for only one rupee and inserted a clause stating that a share of the profits be given to the Milkha Singh Charitable Trust. The trust helps youngsters achieve their potential through education.

A scene from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

The 2013 film starred Farhan Akhtar. Singh told BBC that he wanted it to inspire the next generation.

“We had nothing in our times. The athletes and sportsmen in those days didn’t earn much money. We worked for the applause, people’s appreciation inspired and motivated us, we ran for the country,” he said.

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Get set, game on: These Indian companies are disrupting the gaming sector

(September 15, 2021) Earlier this year, Indian gaming startups had raised as much as $500 million in investments in a span of just six months. Once considered an underdog, India’s online gaming sector has been emerging as the silent hero in the country’s startup ecosystem with these companies experiencing a spurt in traffic in the past couple of years. The pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns certainly seem to have played their part in boosting the Indian gaming sector. India currently accounts for more than 15% of the world’s gaming traffic with its over 400 million gamers. With the Indian gaming industry playing host to over 400 startups, the sector also attracts investments from marquee investors such as Sequoia, Accel, Kalari, Blume, Matrix, and Steadview among others. Global Indian turns the spotlight on some of the most promising gaming companies. Dream11 [caption id="attachment_10266" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth[/caption] Founded in 2012 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11 is one of India’s first mobile-based gaming companies to offer fantasy sports such as cricket, football, kabaddi, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and rugby among others. With over 100 million users, it has grown to become the country’s biggest fantasy sports platforms. Dream11 lets Indian sports lovers to actively engage with

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Dream11

[caption id="attachment_10266" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Indian entrepreneurs Harsh Jain Bhavit Shah Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth[/caption]

Founded in 2012 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11 is one of India’s first mobile-based gaming companies to offer fantasy sports such as cricket, football, kabaddi, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and rugby among others. With over 100 million users, it has grown to become the country’s biggest fantasy sports platforms. Dream11 lets Indian sports lovers to actively engage with and showcase their knowledge of the sports with players being allowed to create their own team of real-life players. The company also has tie-ups with sporting federations such as ICC, Pro Kabaddi League and the International Hockey Association.

Backed by the likes of Kalari Capital, Steadview Capital and Tencent Holdings, Dream11 has so far raised over $725 million in funding. In 2019, it became the first Indian company in the gaming industry to gain unicorn status and by 2020 they had won the title sponsorship for the Indian Premier League.

Nazara Technologies

[caption id="attachment_10269" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Indian entrepreneur Nitish Mittersain Nitish Mittersain[/caption]

Founded in 1999 by a college going Nitish Mittersain, Nazara Technologies has multiple segments for gamers: subscription, freemium, e-sports and skill-based gaming. With services across 64 countries, the company has seen a steady growth over the years and is today valued at ₹5000 crore. Nitish, who had been passionate about gaming since his childhood, knew that he always wanted to be an entrepreneur and had begun coding when he was seven. By the time he was 17 he was making websites for companies and soon he launched Nazara. Incidentally, it was late actor Shammi Kapoor, a tech enthusiast, who mentored him and helped him refine his business idea. Today, Nazara is known for its games on World Cricket Championship, Chhota Bheem, and Motu Patlu series.

Backed by the likes of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Nazara went public earlier this year and is the only online gaming company in India to be listed. With its IPO, Nazara gave over 80% of its listing gains to IPO applicants.

JetSynthesys

[caption id="attachment_10271" align="aligncenter" width="592"] Indian businessman Rajan Navani Rajan Navani[/caption]

Founded in 2014 by Rajan Navani, JetSynthesys is an innovative digital and technology business with a gaming offering called PlaylzzOn. The mobile gaming and digital entertainment company has over 100 million users and has a presence in countries such as Japan, US, and Europe. With games such as Ludo Live: World Tour and Sachin Saga Cricket Champions, this e-sports business is also known to host tournaments such as the ESL India Premiership and the PUBG Virtual Pro League.

The company is backed by the likes of Kris Gopalakrishnan, Adar Poonawalla and more recently Sachin Tendulkar as well, who invested $2 million in the company.

Games 24x7

[caption id="attachment_10273" align="aligncenter" width="579"] Indian entrepreneur Bhavin Pandya Bhavin Pandya[/caption]

Founded by former economists Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy in 2006, Games24x7 is an online gaming company that creates skill games (RummyCircle and My11Circle) and casual games (Ultimate Games) as well. What sets Games24x7 apart is the fact that it uses behavioral science and artificial intelligence to provide a well-rounded gaming experience to its users. With a presence in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kiev, Philadelphia and Miami, the company also launches games for the global market.

It currently has over 70 million users and was recently mentioned in a Credit Suisse report as one of the 100 unicorns in India. Games24x7 is backed by marquee investors such as Tiger Group and The Raine Group and is now eyeing expanding into the US with exclusive made-in-India games for the American market.

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