World's oldest marathoner, 114, killed in hit-and-run
According to the New York Times, Fauja, who was famously known as the 'Turbaned Tornado' died on Monday after he was struck by a car during his daily walk in his home village of Beas Pind in Punjab, India, where he had resided since the pandemic.
Fauja, who was born on April 1, 1911, rose to global fame in 2011 when he delivered one of the most remarkable athletic performances in history at the age of 100.
At a track meet in Toronto, he set eight world records in the 95+ age category, in events ranging from 100 metres to 5,000 metres.
Just three days later, he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8 hours and 25 minutes, becoming the first reputed centenarian to finish a full 42.2km race.
Although his records were not officially recognised due to the absence of a birth certificate — a common issue for those born in rural British India — many officials and supporters regarded his feats as genuine.
Fauja began running competitively in his 80s after a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his wife and children.
According to his coach, Harmander Singh, running gave him a new purpose and healing, thus giving him a reason to live.
Singh went on to run marathons in London, New York, and Toronto, and became the face of an international Adidas campaign.
Even after retiring from competition in 2013, he continued to walk up to 16km a day in Ilford, East London.
He credited his longevity to a vegetarian diet, regular physical activity, and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco.
His story inspired a generation and was later immortalised in the children's book Fauja Singh Keeps Going (2020), believed to be the first mainstream picture book to centre on a Sikh character.
Though his achievements were never officially recognised by Guinness World Records, Fauja received birthday greetings from Queen Elizabeth II on both his 100th and 105th birthdays.
Fauja had also twice participated in the Chardikala Run, a spiritual and athletic event held at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya in Malaysia.
Singh's presence at the event, not once but twice, deeply moved local communities and organisers.
In a Facebook post, the organisers expressed their gratitude for Singh's participation, describing him as a perfect embodiment of the run's message — spiritual optimism, resilience, and service through action.
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The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Turbaned Tornado
IN the space of four days in 2011, Fauja Singh, a native of India who lived in greater London and claimed to be 100 at the time, delivered the most stirring performances ever for a runner of his ascribed age. On Oct 13 that year, at a meet in Toronto, he set eight world records for the 95-plus age group in events ranging from 100m to 5,000m. Doug Smith, the co-chair of Ontario Masters Athletics, called it the 'most astonishing achievement' he had ever witnessed. 'He rested between the events by sitting down and having a few sips of tea,' Smith said in an interview for this obituary in 2017. 'He was actually running – both feet off the ground. He was amazing.' Three days after the track meet, Singh performed yet another rousing feat. He became the first reputed centenarian to complete a race of 42km by finishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8'25:16. His actual running time was 8'11:05, but in the throng of runners, it took him 14 minutes to reach the start. There were two complications. Fauja received assistance in crossing the finish line, statisticians said. More troubling, he had a passport but could not produce a birth certificate for race officials or Guinness World Records to verify the authenticity of his achievements. Fauja died on July 14, his startling accomplishments of 2011 both celebrated and unconfirmed. He was hit by a car while on his daily walk in his home village of Beas Pind in the Punjab region of India and died in a hospital, his former coach, Harmander Singh (no relation), said in a phone interview from London. He had returned to India to live during the pandemic. Fauja jubilates as he completes the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Oct 16, 2011, at the age of 100. — AFP Fauja Singh gave his birth date as April 1, 1911, and said he was born in Beas Pind. The country was ruled by Britain at the time, and birth certificates were not regularly issued in villages. His parents were farmers. Fauja's case became emblematic of the difficulties race officials faced in determining the ages of elderly runners, especially when the athletes were born in places where birth certificates were unavailable or lost during tumultuous times. Still, Fauja Singh had his supporters among fans and officials. Smith, the Ontario Masters official, said, 'As far as I'm concerned, he was legit.' But, he added: 'They just can't start allowing world records when there is no birth certificate. It opens a whole can of worms.' For his part, Fauja said in 2016 that he did not begrudge officials for not ratifying his achievements. 'I've done everything openly, nothing in secret,' he said by telephone from London, with his coach serving as an interpreter. 'If it makes some people happy to question it, it has made a lot of other people happier who believe it.' Fauja did not walk until he was five and was given the nickname Stick because of his weak and spindly legs, according to an ESPN profile of him in 2013. Rather than attend school, he worked on a farm, feeding cattle and growing corn and wheat. He eventually married and had six children. Fauja's wife, Gian Kaur, died in 1992, according to Harmander. His youngest daughter then died in childbirth, and a son was killed in 1994 when struck in the head by a sheet of windblown corrugated metal during a storm. As Fauja was reeling from these tragedies, he said, his masters running career began in 2000, when he was said to be in his 80s. 'Running gave him a new focus in life, made it worth living,' Harmander said, adding that Fauja moved to London after his wife's death to live with a son. Fauja's first marathon was the 2000 London Marathon, which he finished in 6 hours 54 minutes. He ran other marathons in London, New York and Toronto and was featured in an advertising campaign by Adidas. A Sikh, he was called the Turbaned Tornado and was described as the world's oldest marathon runner by journalists. 'The first 32km are not difficult,' he told reporters. 'As for the last 10km, I run while talking to God.' By 2016, his marathon days were over, but Fauja continued to walk up to 16km a day in Ilford, in East London, his coach said. He ascribed his longevity to a vegetarian diet and abstinence from tobacco and alcohol. His last race, a 10k event in Hong Kong, was in 2012. 'Once I started to overcome the tragedies in my life, I started getting recognition,' said Fauja. 'That and support motivated me to carry on. It made me more disciplined to stick to a routine. I could forget my problems and remain happy and avoid negativity. While his records were not ratified, his efforts reflected perseverance and resilience among the aging. Queen Elizabeth II had sent Fauja a telegram on his supposed 100th birthday in 2011 and another when he was said to have turned 105. While he could not verify Fauja's age, Harmander said that, presuming the British government did its due diligence in giving him a pension, 'I imagine it's good enough for me.' — NYT
The Sun
24-07-2025
- The Sun
Adidas and Dion Cools unveil heritage-inspired jersey
ADIDAS MALAYSIA launches a limited edition jersey inspired by national footballer Dion Cools, celebrating his heritage, cultural identity, and remarkable football journey. This jersey, a seamless blend of culture and performance, symbolises national pride, resilience, and unity. Designed in collaboration with Dion Cools – the first Malaysian to play for Japanese top-flight club Cerezo Osaka and a key defender for the Malaysian national team – the jersey reflects the athlete's deep connection to his roots and the nation he represents. Collaboration with Dion Cools A stalwart in Malaysia's national team since 2021, Dion Cools has become a symbol of local football defined by grit, leadership and cultural pride. The limited edition jersey reflects this narrative, drawing from Dion's standout performances and his unwavering commitment to representing the country at the highest level. 'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for. Partnering with adidas on this jersey let me tell that story in a whole new way. adidas has always stood for pushing boundaries. Through this collaboration, I hope to inspire others to embrace their identity and push for greatness,' said Dion Cools. Celebrating Culture Through Sport Born in Kuching, Sarawak and raised in Belgium, Dion was eligible to represent either country at international level, but ultimately chose to wear the Malaysian badge. This jersey design honours that decision: Infused with heritage-inspired patterns and modern performance detailing, the design reflects the duality of Dion's roots and career. 'At adidas, we believe in the power of sport to unite cultures, amplify stories and create new possibilities. Dion's story reflects everything adidas stands for: cultural authenticity, bold choices, and performance at the highest level,' said Preston Page, Country Manager, adidas Malaysia. The Dion Cools limited edition jersey is available in two colourways at select adidas stores and online via Retailing at RM169, consumers will get to redeem a complimentary collectible Dion Cools player card with each purchase, while stocks last.
The Star
23-07-2025
- The Star
Dion makes a statement on and off pitch with his own jersey design
Celebration of legacy: Dion Cools in action in his adidas kit which has patterns inspired by his birthplace Sarawak. PETALING JAYA: Whether donning the national colours of Malaysia, the pink of Cerezo Osaka kit, or now his very own adidas kit – Dion Cools' mission remains unchanged and that is to represent with pride and inspire through performance. Yesterday, the rightback became the first Malaysian and South-East Asian footballer to launch his own limited-edition jersey in collaboration with global sportswear giant adidas. The unveiling at the adidas outlet in Sunway Pyramid was not just a fashion moment but it was a celebration of legacy. 'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for,' said Cools, who was born in Kuching before moving to Belgium, where his football journey took flight. 'This jersey is special to me because it includes patterns inspired by my birthplace, Sarawak. It's a proud moment.' The No. 21, emblazoned on the back, adds a personal touch, Cools' preferred number since his early professional days in Europe. Cools currently plays in Japan's top-tier J1 League with Cerezo Osaka and continues to be a key figure for Harimau Malaya on the international stage. Eligible to represent both countries, he chose the Malaysian badge and has been a regular fixture in the Malaysian national setup since 2021. Meanwhile, Cools has left it up to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and team management to decide on Harimau Malaya's involvement in any friendly matches this September. He said the national squad still had room to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for in October. This follows Harimau Malaya's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup in Tajikistan from Aug 29-Sept 8. 'I think it's bad news (withdrawing from the 2025 CAFA Cup), but at the same time the management have done its best. We have work to do for the Asian Cup qualifiers, and I think that's the most important thing for us. Previously, FAM had announced that Harimau Malaya's withdrawal was due to a change in match dates, with fixtures now starting outside the official international window set by FIFA, making it challenging for the national team, as clubs are not obliged to release their players.
