Suresh Babu (10 Feb 1953 – 19 Feb 2011)
It is with deep regret the Athletics Federation of India records the sudden demise of Suresh Babu, former international athlete and chief coach for junior athletes, at Ranchi this after-noon.
A versatile athlete in his younger days, Suresh Babu was here as Chef-de-Mission of the Kerala State team for the ongoing 34thNational Games.
An all-round athlete, Suresh Babu set a national record in decathlon (7380 points) while winning the national inter-state championships at Quilon in 1978. He has represented India at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. He got a bronze medal in decathlon at the Teheran Asiad in 1974. He was the continental champion at Seoul in the same event, the next year.
Trending
A towering personality, Suresh Babu won a bronze medal in Commonwealth Games long jump at Edmonton in 1978 and went on to win the gold medal at the Asian Games in Bangkok. The following year, he recorded his best ever jump of 7.97m while winning the Deccan Athletics meet at Bangalore en route to his silver winning performance at the Asian championship in Tokyo.
In India, his first major title came at the open nationals at Madurai in 1974 where he won gold medals in high jump (2.05m) and triple jump. The same year he had become the national inter-state champion in decathlon at Jaipur.
Suresh Babu celebrated his 58th birthday hardly nine days ago. He was admitted in the hospital at Ranchi on Saturday morning following critical illness and breathed his last few hours later.
The Athletics Federation of India joined the entire sports fraternity of the country to convey its condolences to the family of Suresh Babu and pay homage to one of its legendary athletes of all-time.
RAVINDER CHAUDHRY
OFFICIATING SECRETARY, AFI
