[ad_1]
Singh, the four-time Asian Games gold medalist, died in a hospital in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh.
Mirha Singh was one of India’s first sports superstars and a sprint champion. She overcame her childhood tragedy and became the country’s most famous athlete. He died of COVID-19 at the age of 91.
Singh, a four-time Asian Games gold medalist and known as the “flying Sikh”, died in a hospital in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh late on Friday.
His wife Nealmar Kaur, the former captain of the volleyball team, died of the virus a few days ago. She is 85 years old.
“He fought hard, but God has his way,” Singh’s family said in a statement.
Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the 400m class at the 1958 Commonwealth Games. He almost missed an Olympic medal and finished fourth in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Singh represented India in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games.
Cricket idol Sachin Tendulkar said Singh’s legacy will continue.
“Rest in peace, our own’flying Sikh’ Mirha Singheji,” he wrote on Twitter. “Today, your passing has left a deep blank in the hearts of every Indian, but you will continue to inspire future generations.”
Indian women’s tennis star Sanya Mirza said, “The world will miss a legend like you.”
Run, Mirka, run
He became an elite athlete, made Singh a national hero, and inspired the 2013 Bollywood movie called “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” (Running, Milha, Running).
The protagonist of the film, Farhan Akhtar, won the highest award for his portrayal of star athletes, and he paid tribute to Singh in his emotional message.
“You represent an idea. You represent a dream,” Akhtar wrote on social media. “You represent (in your own words) that hard work, honesty and determination can lift a person from his knees and allow him to touch the sky.”
❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/Ti2I457epP
-Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) June 19, 2021
The name of the movie refers to the poignant last words that Singh’s father said to Singh.
When he was about to die, he told Singh to escape, otherwise he would also be killed in the post-divorce riots that engulfed the subcontinent.
Singh escaped and boarded the train with other refugees. It is believed that more than one million people died in the bloody sectarian unrest.
In 2013, the film’s director, Rakeysh Mehra, said: “We all grew up with Mirka’s folklore. He is an otherworldly figure for us. For the West.”
RIP #MilkhaSingh Mr. A true legend and inspiration. You showed the world that you can achieve anything you can do without any care. Express condolences to his friends and family ???? pic.twitter.com/h4zNOAH5Zp
-Hardikpandya (@hardikpandya7) June 19, 2021
Fortunately to meet you, you have blessed me so many times.. The kindest and warmest Mr. RIP Milkha Singh.. The world will miss a legend like you.. #MilkhaSingh
— Sarnia Mirza (@MirzaSania) June 18, 2021
[ad_2]
Source link
