Fauja Singh, the Indian-born runner famously known as the “Turbaned Torpedo,” has passed away at the age of 114 after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident. The incident occurred in his native village near Jalandhar, Punjab, while he was crossing the road. Singh suffered serious head injuries and later died in the hospital.
His London-based running club, Sikhs In The City, confirmed the tragic news. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing Singh as “extraordinary,” noting how he inspired India’s youth on the vital subject of fitness.
In 2011, Singh gained global attention when, at age 100, he completed the Toronto Marathon, becoming the oldest person ever to run a full marathon. However, Guinness World Records did not officially recognize the feat due to the lack of a birth certificate. Singh’s British passport listed his birth date as April 1, 1911, while Indian officials explained that such records were not maintained in that year.
Singh took up running late in life—at the age of 89—as a way to cope with depression following the deaths of his wife and son. His son, Kuldip, was killed in a tragic accident in 1994 when a piece of metal, torn loose during a storm, fatally struck him in front of his father. The traumatic event left Singh emotionally shattered and alone, as his other children had moved abroad.
He later moved to London to live with his youngest son. There, he began attending community sporting events and was introduced to marathon running. Inspired by Sikh runners and seeing a marathon on television, Singh decided to train and run one himself.
In 2000, at 89 years old, he completed his first marathon in London. Over the next several years, he participated in eight more marathons. His personal best came in 2003 at the Toronto Marathon, where he finished in 5 hours and 40 minutes.
“From a tragedy has come a lot of success and happiness,” Singh once reflected.
Singh ran his final competitive race in 2013 at the age of 101, finishing the 10-kilometer event at the Hong Kong Marathon in just over 1.5 hours. After retiring from competitive running, he expressed a wish to remain in public memory, even if he was no longer racing.
Prime Minister Modi honored his legacy, calling him an “exceptional athlete with incredible determination” and added, “Pained by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
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