Legendary Marathoner & Global Icon Fauja Singh Dies at 114

fauja singh

The world mourns the loss of Fauja Singh, known affectionately as the “Turbaned Tornado”, who passed away on July 14 in a tragic road accident near his home in Beas Pind, Punjab.

At 114, he was the oldest marathon runner on record and an enduring symbol of longevity, inspiration, and resilience.

Also, the Indian film industry bid a heartfelt farewell to one of its most cherished veterans— Kota Srinivasa Rao, you can read our article to get more info about his life.


🕊️ Accident and Immediate Aftermath

Fauja Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road in the afternoon in his native village. Police confirmed the collision occurred around 3:30 PM, and Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries hours later.

Authorities have registered a case, are analyzing CCTV footage, and are actively searching for the driver responsible.

Local officials described the scene as heartbreaking. The community has rallied around his family, whose final rites are being coordinated pending the return of his children from abroad.


🎖️ Life and Unparalleled Athletic Journey

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Born on April 1, 1911, in rural Punjab, Fauja Singh overcame early childhood illnesses and delayed walking to rise above adversity.

He moved to the UK in the early 1990s, following the loss of his wife. At 89, he took up walking and then running, embarking on what would become a record-breaking career.

Between 2000 and 2012, Singh completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two in Toronto, and one in New York . In 2011, at 100, he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon in Toronto, clocking 8 hours 11 minutes.

Despite not being officially recognized by Guinness (due to lack of birth documentation), Fauja’s feats earned him admirers worldwide. His personal bests included a 6:02 time at London (2003) and 5:40 at Toronto (same year).


🌟 Honors, Influence, and Inspiring Legacy

Fauja Singh’s achievements garnered numerous accolades:

  • Ellis Island Medal of Honour (2013)
  • British Empire Medal (2015) for excellence in sports and charity
  • Olympic torchbearer at London 2012
  • Featured in Adidas’s renowned “Impossible is Nothing” campaign alongside global icons

Well-known author Khushwant Singh, who penned his biography “Turbaned Tornado”, described Fauja as a lifelong giver and inspiration. His book was launched in London’s House of Lords in 2011 .

Fauja’s discipline—rooted in vegetarian living, spiritual faith, and daily walking—resonated with people across generations and cultures .


👏 Global Tributes and National Mourning

Prime Minister’s Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Fauja Singh as “an extraordinary athlete” whose dedication inspired India’s youth toward fitness and healthy living. He expressed heartfelt condolences to Singh’s family and fans worldwide.

State Leaders and Community Reaction

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria called him a “legend of resilience,” recalling a symbolic walk they took together in December 2024 during the “Nasha Mukt – Rangla Punjab” campaign. The governor affirmed that Fauja Singh’s legacy will continue to serve and inspire Punjab’s youth .

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed the sentiments, stating that Fauja Singh made the Punjabi and Sikh community proud worldwide .

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Congress state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring mourned the loss of “a legend” and condemned the suspected hit-and-run .

Author Khushwant Singh publicly mourned his friend on social media, writing, “My Turbaned Tornado is no more,” and reaffirming Fauja’s lifelong generosity.


❤️ A Life Beyond Records

Fauja Singh’s journey transcended sport. He became a global mentor for physical endurance, mental strength, and charitable service. He believed in giving back—donating marathon earnings to charities, supporting newborn care, and promoting interfaith harmony .

His impact extended globally as he embraced diverse cultures, spoke at international events, and motivated elders to remain active and purpose-driven .


🔍 Investigation Underway

Local police hunted down the vehicle involved in the accident and registered an FIR. Officers examined nearby CCTV footage to apprehend the driver. The case is ongoing .

Fauja Singh’s funeral arrangements were delayed awaiting the return of his children, who are based abroad .


Final Reflections

Fauja Singh’s passing closes a chapter on a life that redefined age, endurance, and inspiration. From rural Punjab to global stadiums, he showed that obstacles—personal and physical—can be overcome with discipline and purpose.

At 114, he symbolized hope, resilience, and the idea that it’s never too late to start. His story reminds us that with determination, each step—whether in a marathon or in life—can leave a lasting legacy.

His memory lives on through the generations he inspired, the records he set, and the message he embodied: “age is just a number.”

Wimbledon & India vs England Test Series Drama: A Sporting Double Delight

India vs England Test Series

In the world of sports, few periods bring such concentrated drama as the early weeks of July. This year, that window offered fans a rare double treat — the elegance and intensity of Wimbledon 2025, and the adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster of the India vs England Test series.

Both events, though vastly different in nature and tradition, captured global attention with their own brand of storytelling, brilliance, and controversy.


🎾 Wimbledon 2025: Tradition Meets Transformation

Held at the iconic All England Club in London, Wimbledon 2025 was a spectacle of poise, precision, and progress. This year’s tournament marked a turning point in its long-standing traditions. For the first time in history, electronic line calling fully replaced human line umpires, signaling tennis’s embrace of technology while retaining its graceful, white-clad aesthetics.

Sinner’s Statement Victory

The men’s singles final became an instant classic, pitting Italian sensation Jannik Sinner against Spain’s flamboyant Carlos Alcaraz.

With both men having already carved reputations as future legends, their clash was expected to be tight — and it delivered. Alcaraz struck early, taking the first set with explosive pace. But Sinner’s poise under pressure and his laser-focused baseline game turned the tide.

Sinner rallied back to win the next three sets, showcasing not just skill but maturity. His down-the-line backhands and razor-sharp return game left Alcaraz struggling for rhythm. With this victory, Sinner not only claimed his first Wimbledon title but also became the first Italian man to lift the trophy at SW19 — a monumental achievement for both the player and his country.

Świątek’s Supreme Dominance

On the women’s side, Iga Świątek stunned the tennis world with a truly historic performance. In the final, she dispatched her opponent with a double bagel score of 6-0, 6-0 — a rare and ruthless feat at any level, let alone a Grand Slam final. Her footwork, depth of shot, and mental clarity left little doubt that she remains the most dominant woman in tennis today.

Celebrities, Royals, and Style

As always, Wimbledon was not just a tennis tournament — it was a cultural event. Royalty and celebrities filled the stands. From movie stars to former champions, all dressed in fine English summer fashion, the event maintained its reputation as the most elegant sporting competition in the world.

While the play on court was fierce, the atmosphere remained steeped in class, ceremony, and the timeless crack of a ball on grass. Wimbledon 2025 blended modernization with age-old tradition — proving that the game can evolve while still honoring its past.


🏏 India vs England Test Series: When Cricket Turned into Combat

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If Wimbledon showcased the calm and classy side of sport, the India vs England Test series was pure, high-octane drama. Played across England in historic stadiums like Headingley, Edgbaston, and Lord’s, the five-match series had everything — masterful batting, lethal bowling, crowd eruptions, and even on-field confrontations that echoed the fierce rivalries of yesteryear.

Test 1: Thrills at Headingley

The series opener set the tone for what was to come. India posted imposing totals in both innings, thanks to centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul. Rishabh Pant, returning from injury, became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score hundreds in both innings on English soil.

Yet, in a stunning turn of events, England chased down a mammoth 371-run target in the fourth innings. Ben Duckett’s blistering century and Joe Root’s calm anchoring saw the home side seal a five-wicket win. It was a masterclass in fourth-innings aggression and marked the return of England’s high-risk “Bazball” approach.

Test 2: India’s Answer in Birmingham

India bounced back hard in the second Test. Led by captain Shubman Gill, who played one of the finest matches of his young career, India crushed England by over 300 runs. Gill scored a double century in the first innings and followed it up with another 150-plus score in the second — the highest combined total by an Indian captain in a single Test.

The bowling attack was equally fierce. Mohammed Siraj’s consistency and Akashdeep’s devastating pace dismantled the English batting line-up. India’s win at Edgbaston was historic, being their first at the venue in nearly four decades. The India vs England Test Series was now level, and tensions were rising.

Test 3: Lord’s Turns Hostile

The third Test, played at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground, saw the emergence of a different kind of cricket — not just tactical but emotional, even confrontational. With the series finely poised, the players from both sides turned up the heat.

Shubman Gill and England opener Zak Crawley were involved in a verbal spat that grew increasingly intense as the day wore on. Sledging, long stares, and sarcastic applauses peppered the day’s play. England bowler Jofra Archer unleashed a barrage of bouncers, while Ben Stokes led from the front with both bat and mouth.

India fought hard, but England’s bowlers managed to pull off a tight win by 22 runs. The match, dubbed by fans as “Bazbrawl” rather than Bazball, signaled that the friendly image of English cricket was giving way to an aggressive, win-at-all-costs mentality.


🎯 Key Themes and Contrasts

While both Wimbledon and the India vs England Test Series occurred in the same region and timeframe, they couldn’t have been more different in tone. Yet, both told compelling stories about sport’s evolution, the human spirit, and the weight of legacy.

ThemeWimbledon 2025India vs England Test Series
Tradition vs. InnovationIntroduction of electronic line callingEngland’s Bazball clashing with Test orthodoxy
Emotional IntensityQuiet tension, composed brillianceVerbal clashes, raw emotion, national pride
Star PerformancesSinner’s maiden win, Świątek’s dominanceGill’s records, Duckett’s fearless chasing
Cultural ImpactTennis blended with fashion and royaltyCricket fused with nationalism and intensity
Narrative ArcClear-cut champions crownedMomentum swinging wildly between both teams

🏆 Why These Events Matter

Wimbledon reaffirmed its status as the most dignified and progressive tennis tournament. It embraced technological change without sacrificing charm, and in doing so, laid a roadmap for the future of tennis. Players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek are not just winners — they are the new standard bearers of discipline and class.

The India vs England Test Series, meanwhile, breathed new life into Test cricket. In an era where shorter formats dominate, these matches reminded fans why the red-ball game still captivates. The high scores, dramatic collapses, record chases, and personal confrontations showed that Test cricket is not just surviving — it is thriving.


Conclusion

Whether it was the neatly-trimmed lawns of Wimbledon or the lush green pitches of Lord’s, England in July 2025 became the center of the sporting universe. Fans were treated to both ends of the emotional spectrum — from elegant forehands to fiery bouncers, from standing ovations to heated stare-downs.

What unified these events was passion. The passion to win. The passion to honor history. The passion to write a new chapter.

As we reflect on this sporting doubleheader, one thing is clear: sport, in all its forms, remains a mirror of human aspiration — unpredictable, emotional, and unforgettable.