Gurbachan Singh Randhawa- Sikhs The Supreme

Former Olympian, a versatile athlete and an Asian Decathlon Champion G.S.Randhawa is the ONLY Indian to hold FOUR national records in high jump, javelin throw, 110 m hurdles and decathlon in the sixties. He represented India in 1960 Rome Olympics. In 1962 Jakarta Asian Games, he was adjudged the BEST athlete. In 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he finished fifth in 110 M hurdles with a timing of 14 seconds. It was the best ever performance by an Indian athlete other than Milkha Singh, who finished fourth in 1960 Rome Olympics. He also held the Commonwealth record in high hurdles (14 seconds) and Decathlon (6912 points) at one stage.

President's Police Medal was conferred upon him for his distinguished services. In 1961 he was honoured with ARJUNA award. He thus earned the distinction of being the FIRST ARJUNA AWARDEE athlete.

Dhanwant Singh Bhogal, an industrialist from the Bhogal Group of Industries, Ludhiana, who represented India in the late 50s in events like the 10 thousand meter walk and 50 km.walk, recalled, “I remember, I ran in the Olympic as an outsider for there was no Indian official or runner with Gurbachan Singh Randhawa. When he won the race and collapsed on the track, the Italians asked me to come and pick him up for he had no one accompanying him. This was the state of affairs at that time and not like the present that the champions and the winners have a whole range of officials and relatives along with him."

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