Prithipal Singh
Indian field hockey player / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Prithipal Singh?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Prithipal Singh (28 January 1932 – 20 May 1983) was an Indian field hockey player who played as a halfback. He was a member of the India national team that won a gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and silver and bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics and bronze at the 1968 Mexico Olympics respectively.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Born |
(1932-01-28)28 January 1932 Nankana Sahib, British India | ||
Died |
20 May 1983(1983-05-20) (aged 51) Ludhiana, Punjab, India | ||
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
Weight | 71 kg (157 lb) | ||
Playing position | Halfback | ||
Senior career | |||
Years | Team | ||
Punjab Police[1] | |||
National team | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
India | |||
Medal record |
Singh was nicknamed the 'King of short corner' by hockey commentators.[2] He was known for sharp reflexes, tremendous strength in his long and powerful arms produced firm and sticking shots which unfailingly fetched him goals and often the winners.[2] The Evening Post (New Zealand) commented in 1961 that to face the fury of Prithipal's hit is to risk one's life.[citation needed] Another author commented that if Arjuna was the maharathi (great warrior) of the Mahabharata war, Prithipal was the maharathi of the International Hockey game.[citation needed] The first-ever Arjuna Award to a hockey player was conferred upon him in 1961, which was later followed by the Padma Shri in 1967.[2]