By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Fauja Singh, the Indian-born British centenarian widely recognized as the oldest long-distance runner in the world, has died at the age of 114 following a road accident in Punjab, India, his biographer confirmed Tuesday.
Singh was reportedly struck by a vehicle while crossing a road in his native village of Bias, located in the Jalandhar district. The vehicle has not been identified.
Khushwant Singh, the runner’s biographer, announced the news on the social media platform X, stating: “My Turbaned Tornado is no more… Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”
Though Singh had no official birth certificate, his family maintained he was born on April 1, 1911. He took up running at the age of 89, after the loss of his wife and one of his sons, inspired by watching marathon events on television.
Singh quickly rose to prominence in the athletics community, completing full marathons until the age of 100. His final competitive appearance came at age 101 in a 10-kilometre race during the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon, where he completed the run in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
Despite being widely considered the world’s oldest marathon runner, Singh was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records due to the lack of verifiable documentation of his birth. Birth certificates were not issued at the time of his birth under British colonial rule.
Known by the nickname “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh was celebrated both in India and internationally. He participated in the Olympic torch relays for the Athens 2004 and London 2012 Games and appeared in advertising campaigns alongside global sports figures such as David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
Singh credited his endurance and longevity to an active lifestyle that included daily walks and a traditional diet featuring dry-fruit-laden Indian sweets known as laddus and homemade curd.
Tributes poured in following the news of his death. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “Fauja Singh 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.”
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