Fauja Singh, renowned as the world's oldest distance runner, has passed away at 114 years old after a tragic road accident in Punjab State, India.
Singh, widely recognized as the "Turbaned Tornado," was hit by a vehicle on Monday in Jalandhar district and succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.
Originally from India and later acquiring British nationality, Fauja Singh gained international acclaim for his remarkable athletic accomplishments in his senior years. He embarked on long-distance running at the age of 80 and continued to participate in marathons well beyond 100, inspiring millions worldwide.
"My Turbaned Tornado has passed away," Fauja's biographer Khushwant Singh posted on X.
"He was hit by an unknown vehicle while crossing the road in his village, Bias. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja."
Fauja Singh, a British national originally from India, speaks to the media after completing the 10-kilometer race at the Hong Kong Marathon on February 24, 2013.
Singh lacked a birth certificate, but his family claimed he was born on April 1, 1911.
He completed full marathons (42 kilometers) until he reached the age of 100.
His final race was a 10-kilometre (six-mile) event at the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon when he was 101 years old, completing it in one hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
At the advanced age of 89, following the passing of his wife and one of his sons, he was inspired by marathon broadcasts on television to begin distance running. This propelled him into international fame.
Although widely recognized as the world’s oldest marathon runner, he was not officially certified by Guinness World Records because he couldn't verify his age. He explained that birth certificates were unavailable at the time of his birth under British colonial rule before 2011.
(FILE) Fauja Singh, an Indian-born British national, waves a Hong Kong flag upon finishing the 10-km race at the Hong Kong Marathon on February 24, 2013. India's Fauja Singh, considered to be the world's oldest distance runner, passed away in a road accident at age 114 on July 15, 2025, according to his biographer.
Singh carried the Olympic torch during both the Athens 2004 and London 2012 Games, and featured in advertisements alongside sports legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
His strength and vitality were attributed to his routine of walking around the farm and a diet that included Indian sweet "laddu" filled with dry fruits, along with home-churned curd.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his tribute on social media.
"Fauja Singh was remarkable due to his distinctive character and the way he motivated India's youth on the crucial topic of fitness," Modi remarked on X.
"He was an outstanding athlete with remarkable determination. I am deeply saddened by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and the many admirers he had worldwide."
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