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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Fate, not time, outran this turbaned Tornado
At an age when most people soothe their soles and massage sagging egos, Fauja Singh was lacing up his trainers for another bout with himself, for he was his own rival of his age on the asphalt track. The tentative strolls in the courtyard were not for him. He preferred the top variant – the marathon, all 26.2 miles of it. This remarkable specimen of health and determination was a man of contradictions. Until the very end of his extraordinary life, cut short at 114, Singh remained a human paradox: delicate in frame, yet indefatigable in spirit; quiet of demeanour with a thundering legacy. He did not need a stopwatch to run. Time stopped to meet his pace. Fauja Singh was the youngest of four (talkative), as he was called, was born in Beas village in Jalandhar in 1911. Fragile as a newborn, his parents were worried when he wobbled trying to walk even at five. In the end, it was his legs that would carry him to global fame on their shoulders. He had an uneventful life, the lone high point being his move to the UK in 1993, after his wife and a son passed away in Punjab. Bent with age and sorrow, he was on the brink of exhaustion. He said to himself, Hello, why am I wallowing in self-pity? His salvation came in the form of running. He left his grief behind as he pumped his muscles, pounding his feet on the paved streets. At 89, he ran his first marathon. Longevity, for him, was a matter of academic interest. The world began to notice him. First with amusement, then awe and finally, adoration. He kept himself fit. People loved him for his joie de vivre, his friendly face with the mouth always creasing into a smile and, yes, the twinkle in his eyes. He ran nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, and several half marathons, his last official engagement at the age of 101. He ran in the UK and abroad, in London, Hong Kong, New York, and Toronto, remaining fit and agile as he grew older, a living testament to human potential.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Who was Fauja Singh, the 'Turbaned Tornado' who ran a full marathon at 100?
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who became the world's oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100, passed away on Monday after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was 114. Singh was out for a walk in Beas village when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle, suffering severe head injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported. His death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, who wrote 'The Turbaned Tornado', a biography of the celebrated athlete. A life of endurance and inspiration Born on April 1, 1911, into a farming family, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. According to his biography, he was unable to walk until the age of five, but later built resilience working on farms and credited his strength to family support and faith. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1993 after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, to live with one of his sons. It was during this time that he took up long walks and running in public parks—habits that would spark an extraordinary late-in-life athletic career. Record-breaking marathon journey In 2000, at the age of 89, Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—after meeting coach Harmandar Singh. Between 2000 and 2011, he completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two Toronto Marathons, and the New York Marathon. He became the first person aged 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 in 8 hours and 11 minutes. Singh also participated in 10-km races globally, including in Hong Kong and Lahore. His participation in the Lahore event drew praise from then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Honours and legacy Fauja Singh was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the National Ethnic Coalition in the US in 2013. In 2015, he received a British Empire Medal for his contributions to sports and charity. He was also chosen as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, a testament to his global recognition and inspirational journey. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued to be an icon of perseverance, often seen advocating fitness and mental strength for the elderly.
India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Prime Minister Modi pays tribute to legendary marathoner Fauja Singh
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): India mourns the loss of one of its most inspiring sporting figures, Fauja Singh, who passed away on Monday at the remarkable age of 114. Fondly known as the 'Turbaned Tornado,' Singh died in a tragic road accident in his ancestral village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief through a post on his official X account, calling Singh 'extraordinary'. 'Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.' Fauja Singh, popularly known as the 'Sikh Superman,' stunned the world by shattering several records as a marathon runner in multiple age brackets. Since his debut at the 2000 London Marathon at 89, Singh went on to complete six more London Marathons, as well as marathons in Toronto, New York, and other cities. Heartfelt tributes have flooded in, honouring a man who defied age, broke records, and inspired generations with every stride he took. Earlier, Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, expressed his grief at the demise of the legendary marathoner. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and an enduring symbol of resilience and hope. Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. I had the honour of walking alongside him during the two-day 'Nasha Mukt--Rangla Punjab' march from his village, Beas, district Jalandhar, in December 2024. Even then, his presence infused the movement with unparalleled energy and spirit,' the governor said. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier and drug-free Punjab, Governor Kataria added. Former Punjab CM and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh also expressed condolences on the demise of Fauja Singh. He took to X to express his condolences, saying that Singh's 'extraordinary life and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations.' 'Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner, at the age of 114 in a tragic road accident. His extraordinary life and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations,' the former Punjab CM said. (ANI)
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Who was Fauja Singh, the 'Turbaned Tornado' who ran a marathon at 100?
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who became the world's oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100, passed away on Monday after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was 114. Singh was out for a walk in Beas village when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle, suffering severe head injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported. His death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, who wrote 'The Turbaned Tornado', a biography of the celebrated athlete. My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 PM today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja . — Khushwant Singh (@Singhkhushwant) July 14, 2025 A life of endurance and inspiration Born on April 1, 1911, into a farming family, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. According to his biography, he was unable to walk until the age of five, but later built resilience working on farms and credited his strength to family support and faith. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1993 after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, to live with one of his sons. It was during this time that he took up long walks and running in public parks—habits that would spark an extraordinary late-in-life athletic career. Record-breaking marathon journey In 2000, at the age of 89, Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—after meeting coach Harmandar Singh. Between 2000 and 2011, he completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two Toronto Marathons, and the New York Marathon. He became the first person aged 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 in 8 hours and 11 minutes. Singh also participated in 10-km races globally, including in Hong Kong and Lahore. His participation in the Lahore event drew praise from then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Honours and legacy Fauja Singh was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the National Ethnic Coalition in the US in 2013. In 2015, he received a British Empire Medal for his contributions to sports and charity. He was also chosen as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, a testament to his global recognition and inspirational journey. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued to be an icon of perseverance, often seen advocating fitness and mental strength for the elderly.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Woman reveals how she lost over 75kg with her ‘Nozempic' diet: No jabs, just 5 simple lifestyle rules
A Diet Born from Desperation, Driven by Discipline You Might Also Like: 89 kg weight loss without crash diets or overtraining: Woman shares 5 lifestyle changes you can start today From Running from Shame to Running Marathons 'You Can't Inject Self-Love' You Might Also Like: Weight loss plan for busy professions: Reduce belly fat in 7 days with her 20-minute walking technique After enduring years of brutal bullying and heartbreaking taunts—being told she'd 'be pretty if she wasn't so fat'—Sarah Jane Clark, now 53, is the face of what she calls the 'Nozempic' revolution. While many are turning to weight loss injections, Sarah Jane took a different route, rooted not in medication but in five sustainable lifestyle shifts. And the transformation was anything but in over 130 kg, Sarah Jane had become dependent on sugar from a young age, her mornings starting with Cadbury buttons and Coca-Cola. She says emotional neglect and a sugar-rich upbringing created a deep-seated food addiction . Speaking to Sun Health, she recalls how her childhood was littered with micro-traumas about her appearance: boys telling her she had 'rugby player legs' or that she 'could be pretty if she weren't fat.' These comments stuck, burrowing into her trying the Cambridge Diet in her teens, her addiction to sweets prevailed. By 25, her body was failing—her periods had stopped, she was diagnosed with PCOS, suffered chronic fatigue, and was warned she wouldn't make it to 40. That was the turning point. 'Doctors told me I was eating myself to death,' she told. It wasn't a jab or a crash diet that turned her life around—but five simple rules, what she now refers to as her Nozempic Jane's initial changes were modest: 30-minute walks and more water. She stopped ordering takeaways and began eliminating processed foods. 'If a food had more than five ingredients, I didn't eat it,' she says. It wasn't a diet, she insists, but a change in mindset—one that got stronger with each small victory. 'The healthier I became, the healthier I wanted to be,' she time, the results were stunning. Within 16 months, she had lost 7 stone. After giving birth to her two children, Chloe and Jack, she maintained the momentum. From a size 28, she slimmed down to a size 10. But the changes weren't just physical—Sarah Jane also found the confidence to reclaim her identity and her began as daily walks evolved into a full-blown fitness journey. Today, Sarah Jane has completed 50 half-marathons and two London Marathons. Her fitness brand , Step by Step With Sarah Jane, now inspires others to transform without medical intervention. 'I was told I wouldn't live to see 40. For my 40th birthday, I ran a 5K Race for Life,' she says at a healthy 62kg, she's been at her goal weight for five years—and even found love along the way. She met her now-husband Paul Flounders through their mutual passion for running. 'He said I was amazing,' she says. 'I couldn't believe he thought that. I never saw myself that way.'While weight loss injections have gained a following, Sarah Jane urges caution. 'You can't just inject yourself and love yourself,' she says, warning that many people treat the jab as a fix-all without addressing the psychological roots of food addiction. 'I see people on jabs still eating crap food. It's not the miracle people think it is.'Her five simple rules? Walk 30 minutes daily, drink more water, eliminate ultra-processed foods, find joy in exercise, and skip the jabs. 'Educate yourself about what you're eating. Read the ingredients. And if food has more than five ingredients—don't eat it,' she advises.
