| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Makhan Singh |
| Born | July 1, 1937 Bathulla, India |
| Died | January 21, 2002 (aged 64) Chabbewal, India |
| Sport | |
| Country | India |
Makhan Singh (Punjabi: ਮਖਣ ਸਿੰਘ; July 1, 1937 – January 21, 2002)[1] was one of the illustrious Indian athletes during the 1960s. He was born in Bathulla village in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. He claimed to fame as a result of his famous victories over Milkha Singh in the 1964 National Games in Kolkata. He won a number of gold medals in National Games, and represented India in the 1962 Asian Games.
His first taste of success was a bronze in the National Games in Cuttack in 1959. He then hit the high spots with the National Games in Delhi the following year when he won a gold in the short sprint and a silver in the 300 metres. He was to continue with this success in subsequent National Games, winning a gold and a silver at Madras in 1960, 4 Gold at Jabalpur in 1962 and 2 Cold and one Silver at Trivandrurn in 1963. But his greatest triumph was the 1964 National Games in Calcutta where, apart from scoring a sensational win over Milkha, he picked up four Gold Medals for an impressive personal tally. He represented India in the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta where he won a relay gold in 4 x 400 metres and a Silver in the 400 metres.
For Makhan Singh, the artillery gunner, the National Games had Special significance. He took part in all the Games from 1959 to 1964 and won a total of 12 gold, three silver and one bronze, the last one in Calcutta where he signed off being his most outing.[2]
He was a Subedar in the Indian Army and retired in 1972. He later met with an accident, losing a leg. He died in penury in 2002.[3]