5 forgotten Indian sports heroes

Indian athletes such as Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza and Sushil Kumar stand out in a generation which has been dominated by the feats of cricketers. However, there are also a few other sportspersons who have achieved tremendous success within their realm but have not received the media coverage or the accolades they deserve.In a country where sports apart from cricket are not given a lot of importance, these athletes have proved that you don’t need fame to be the best at what you do. They have fought infrastructural, financial and at times, societal battles to reach the pinnacle of their sport.Here are five forgotten athletes from Indian sports that we all need to know better:

#1 Makhan Singh

Makhan Singh’s wife had to sell his medals to survive

Only a few times did Milkha Singh lose out to an opponent at the continental level, leave alone the national one. But Makhan Singh did pull off that feat in the 1962 National Games, taking over the tag of the “Flying Sikh” at least for a while.

He also won gold and silver at the 1962 Asian Games and 16 medals at the Nationals. However, his career was destroyed after he lost his leg in an accident.

Singh passed away in 2002 and his wife had to sell all his medals to make ends meet.

How many people know about him?

#2 Devendra Jhajharia

Jhajharia set a world record in Paralympic Javelin throw

Jhajharia became only the second ever Indian to win a gold at the Paralympics, after lifting the gold medal in the javelin event at Athens 2004. What added to the achievement was that Jhajharia registered a world record throw of 62.15m at the event.

The Government of India was immediately prompted into action and Jhajharia became the first Paralympic athlete to win the Arjuna award.

However, his medal was not a flash in the pan as he registered another famous victory at the IPC World Championships. Jhajharia took the gold medal nine years after achieving the impossible.

#3 Murlikant Petkar

Petkar was India’s first ever Paralympic gold medalist

India’s first ever individual gold medallist in the Paralympics, Murlikant Petkar set the bar for all future athletes from the country. His story is one of determination and hard work.

Petkar was a part of the Indian Army and lost his arm during the 1965 war against Pakistan. But bullet wounds didn’t hinder his willingness to live the dream. Not only did Petkar win the 50m freestyle 3 event in style, he also went on to set the world record in the process.

In the same Paralympics, Petkar also participated in the javelin and slalom events with distinction.

#4 Shankar Lakshman

Shankar won gold in 1964 and the best goalkeeper award

Two Olympic gold medals and one silver, along with two Asian Games gold and one silver – Shankar Laxman was one of the most acclaimed hockey goal-keepers of his time. He was nick-named ‘the Rock of Gibraltar’ for his solidity in goal.

Unfortunately, Lakshman quit hockey after not being selected for the 1968 Olympics. He would continue to serve the army till 1979, before officially retiring.

Lakshman was the first goalkeeper to captain an International hockey team.

Despite winning the Padma Shri, he lived his ending years in extreme poverty, before finally succumbing to his death due to gangrene.

#5 Sarwan Singh

Singh had to sell his gold medal

The 1954 Asian Games saw Sarwan Singh win gold in the 110m hurdles event. But just after he achieved the feat, Singh’s career hit a downslide of monumental proportions, as he lost his leg in an accident.

For 20 years after that, he worked as a taxi driver. When he retired, Singh had a meagre pension of Rs 1,500. This situation forced him to sell his Asian Games gold medal.

To avoid embarrassment, Singh drove his taxi far away from his hometown.