Milkha Singh
Sprinter; India’s first Commonwealth Games gold medallist in athletics
- Lived
- 91 yrs
- 1929 – 2021
- Works listed
- 1
- Autobiography
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1959
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Milkha Singh was a sprinter who survived the violence of partition to become India’s greatest track athlete of his era. Nicknamed “The Flying Sikh”, he won Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold and narrowly missed a medal in the 400 m at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Biography
Partition and the army
Singh lost several members of his family in the violence of partition and came to India as a refugee. He took up running after joining the Indian Army, where his talent was spotted.
Champion
At the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo he won the 200 m and 400 m, and at the Cardiff Commonwealth Games the same year he won the 440 yards, India’s first Commonwealth gold in athletics. In the 400 m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics he finished fourth by a fraction of a second, setting a national record that stood for 38 years. A Pakistani general who watched him win a race in Lahore is said to have called him “The Flying Sikh”.
He received the Padma Shri in 1959. His life was dramatised in the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013). He died in Chandigarh on 18 June 2021, days after his wife, former India volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur.
The Flying Sikh
In 1960 Singh accepted an invitation to race in Lahore, despite his painful memories of partition. He beat Pakistan’s Abdul Khaliq, and President Ayub Khan is said to have told him: “You didn’t run today, you flew” — the origin of his nickname, The Flying Sikh.
Later life
After retiring from competition he became director of sports in Punjab’s education department. He donated his medals to the nation and set up the Milkha Singh Charitable Trust to help needy sportspeople. He refused the Arjuna Award in 2001, saying it should go to young athletes. His autobiography, The Race of My Life, was written with his daughter Sonia Sanwalka and published in 2013. He died of Covid-19 complications in June 2021, days after his wife, Nirmal Kaur.
Personal life
Singh married Nirmal Kaur, former captain of the India women’s volleyball team, in 1962. They had three daughters and a son, Jeev Milkha Singh, an international golfer. They adopted the son of a soldier killed in the 1999 Kargil war. Nirmal Kaur died of Covid-19 on 13 June 2021, five days before her husband.
Timeline
-
1929
Born in Govindpura, Punjab Province (now Pakistan)
-
1951
Joins the Indian Army
Takes up running.
-
1958
Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold
-
1959
Padma Shri
-
1960
Fourth in the Olympic 400 m final in Rome
-
1960
Races in Lahore and earns the nickname The Flying Sikh
-
1962
Asian Games gold
Jakarta.
-
2001
Declines the Arjuna Award
-
2013
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and his autobiography
-
2021
Dies in Chandigarh
-
2021
Died, aged 91
Notable works
-
2013
The Race of My Life Autobiography
With Sonia Sanwalka.
Awards and honours
-
Padma Shri
1959
Did you know?
-
1
He donated all his medals to the nation.
-
2
He turned down the Arjuna Award in 2001, saying it should go to younger athletes.
-
3
His son Jeev Milkha Singh is a professional golfer.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Milkha Singh?
Milkha Singh was a sprinter who survived the violence of partition to become India’s greatest track athlete of his era. Nicknamed “The Flying Sikh”, he won Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold and narrowly missed a medal in the 400 m at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
When did Milkha Singh die?
Milkha Singh died on 18 June 2021 at the age of 91.
Where is Milkha Singh from?
Milkha Singh was born in Govindpura, Punjab Province (now Pakistan).
What is Milkha Singh known for?
Milkha Singh is best known for 1958 Commonwealth Games gold; fourth place in the 400 m at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
What awards has Milkha Singh received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (1959).
Who is Milkha Singh married to?
Spouse: Nirmal Kaur (died 2021).
References
- Milkha Singh — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — Olympics.com athlete profile. Olympics.com. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — World Athletics profile. World Athletics. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — Olympedia. Olympedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Milkha Singh (Q269014) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Milkha Singh.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/milkha-singh
Discussion 0
Sign in or create an account to join the discussion.
No comments yet — be the first.
More in Sports
Sports
Hima Das
Sprinter; first Indian to win a track gold at a world-level championship
Born 2000
Sports
P. T. Usha
Sprinter and hurdler; president of the Indian Olympic Association
Born 1964
Sports
Anju Bobby George
Long jumper; first Indian medallist at the World Athletics Championships
Born 1977
Sports
Neeraj Chopra
Javelin thrower; Olympic and world champion
Born 1997
Film & TV
Vijay Amritraj
Tennis player, commentator and actor; Hall of Fame inductee
Born 1953
Sports
Satnam Singh Bhamara
First Indian drafted into the NBA; now a professional wrestler
Born 1995