5 Indian sportspersons who served in the Indian Army

#2 Milkha Singh (Athletics)

Milkha Singh was introduced to Athletics in the Army

The Army not only played a major role in the growth of Milkha Singh as an athlete, but they also introduced the “flying sikh” to the sport. Singh was the only Indian individual gold medallist in Athletics at an international multi-discipline event until Vikas Gowda in 2014.

However, getting into the Indian Army was not that easy for Singh. He only managed to crack the entry on his fourth attempt. He was introduced to athletics, during his posting in Secunderabad. Singh has in fact acknowledged the army’ role in his development.

He said, "I came from a remote village, I didn't know what running was, or the Olympics. The army helped me learn the sport. “

Singh would go onto repay the Army by winning four Asian Games gold medals, one commonwealth gold and narrowly missing out on Olympic bronze.