Charles Borromeo (Indian athlete)
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| Charles Borromeo | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Charles Borromeo | |
| Date of birth | December 01, 1958 | |
| Place of birth | Devakottai, India | |
| Stream | Track and field | |
| Arjuna Award | 1982 | |
| Padma Shri | 1984 | |
| Achievements | ||
| Games | G - S - B | |
| 1982 Asian Games | 1 - 0 - 0 | |
Charles Borromeo (December 01, 1958 – ) is a track and field athlete born at Devakottai in Tamil Nadu, India. He was awarded Arjuna Award in 1982 for winning gold at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi at a record timing of 1:46:81 seconds in India. His represented India in the 1984 Summer Olympics at Los Angeles. His timeframe at the limelight may be short, yet, his efforts won him the prestigious civilian award in India, the Padma Shri in 1984. After retirement, he continued to involve in developing sports at the national level in India. He served as the National Sports Director of Special Olympics Bharat, a programme run by the Special Olympics International in India, to encourage Special Olympics athletes.
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[edit] Early life
Charles Borromeo was born on December 01, 1958 in the city of Devakottai, located in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He did his schooling in De Britto School, Devakottai.
[edit] Career
After his schooling, he moved on to Ahmedabad, graduating from St. Xaviers College in Ahmedabad. Even while at college his passion for sports, gave him the Best Sportman Award. His record timing at the Inter-University Meet in 1978 provided him a ticket to the international arena, to represent the Indian Universities at the World University Games in Mexico in 1979. Borromeo later joined Tata Steel as Sports Assistant in 1979 and participated in a number of track and field meets as the Tatas sponsored him.
It was in 1982 that he rose to limelight. He topped the six-nation Athletic Meet in Mumbai, bagged the Inter-State Championship at Calicut and won the Gold at the Pakistan National Games at Peshawar. He won a Bronze at the Peking International Games in China and toured Germany representing the Indian athletic team.
However the best was yet to come at the 1982 Asian Games at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi. He represented India winning the 800m gold with a record timing of 1:46:81 seconds by an Indian in India. He was the first Indian to cross the sub 1:47 seconds time in India. He was the first Tata employee to win Gold in Asian Games. He was therefore honoured the Best Sportsman award in 1984, by Tata. He later represented India at a number of track and field meets around the world, including Japan and China, where he again won gold. In 1984 he represented India at the 1984 Summer Olympics at Los Angeles.
He was the captain of the Indian team at the Asian Track and Field meet in Jakarta and the 1985 South Asian Federation Games in Dhaka. He won silver in both the meets. He retired as an athlete in 1986 at the age of 28, after experiencing recurring knee problems.
He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1982 and again another high honour of Padma Shri in 1984 by the Government of India.[1]
[edit] Post retirement
Post retirement Borromeo has been involved with Special Olympics.[2] He became the National Sports Director of the Special Olympics Bharat, the Indian arm of the Special Olympics International focussing on the development of sports for the mentally retarded people. He served the sports federation till 2005.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Sports portal, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport, Government of India accessed Nov 15, 2006.
- ^ Business Line Article dated Dec 2, 2005, accessed Nov 15, 2006.
| Indian Honours System - Civilian Awards |
|---|
| International: Gandhi Peace Prize National: Bharat Ratna - Padma Vibhushan - Padma Bhushan - Padma Shri Literature: Jnanpith Award Fine Arts: Sangeet Natak Akademi award Movies: Dadasaheb Phalke Award Sports: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - Arjuna Award Sports Coaching: Dronacharya Award |
| Indian Honours System - Gallantry Awards |
| War Time Awards: Param Vir Chakra - Maha Vir Chakra - Vir Chakra Peace Time Awards: Ashoka Chakra - Kirti Chakra - Shaurya Chakra Distinguished Service Medals: Sena Medal (Army) - Naosena Medal (Navy) - Vayusena Medal (Air Force) |
