Balbir Singh Sr passes away: A look back at the historic career of the hockey legend

Sporting World mourns the demise of Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr. (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Updated on: May 25, 2020 3:35 PM IST

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Sporting World mourns the demise of Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr. (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

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The three-time Olympic gold medal winner Balbir Singh Sr passed away on Monday in Chandigarh. He was 96 and is survived by his daughter and three sons. (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

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Before making a name for India, Balbir Singh Sr was a megastar in All India’s Inter-University tournaments. Under his captaincy, Punjab University won the title three years in a row from 1943 to 1945. He was selected for the Indian men’s hockey team for the 1948 Olympics in London.. (AP)

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Singh did not find a place in India’s star-studded playing XI at the beginning. He had to wait till the Argentina match for his turn in the 1948 Olympics. Despite being irregular in the starting XI in the tournament, Singh was given a go in the final against Great Britain and he repaid the faith shown on him by scoring a brace to help India win 4-0 (AP)

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Balbir Singh, who scored 246 goals in his 61 appearances for India, was also the manager of the Indian team that won gold in 1975 Hockey World Cup. (Hockey India)

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One of the country’s most accomplished athletes, the iconic centre-forward was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history. (HT Photo)

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His world record for most goals scored by an individual in the men’s hockey final of the Olympics still remains unbeaten. (HT PHoto)

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He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957. That was the first time an athlete was conferred the prestigious civilian honour. (HT Photo)