Fauja Singh, 109, who broke marathon records and was called “Superman” before hanging up his running shoes six years ago, will be the subject of a Bollywood film, Fauja, tracing his remarkable career.
Mr. Singh, born in India in 1911, was an enthusiastic amateur runner in his youth, but gave it up. After a series of personal tragedies including the deaths of his wife and two of his children, he returned to his former passion in his eighties.
He moved to the UK soon after and now lives in Lyford, east London. He arrived for his first training session in Redbridge in a three- piece suit, and his first race was the London marathon in 2000. Three years later in Toronto, he broke the world record for the 90-plus. In 2011, when he turned 100, Mr. Singh set eight world records in a day. He ran the 100m in 23.14, then added the 200m. 400m, 800m, 1.500m, the mile, the 3.000m and 5.000m world records. Three of the events had never been attempted by anyone over the age of 100 before. Days later, he became the first centenarian to complete marathon, again in Toronto, with a time of 8: 25: 27.
Mr. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued jogging for pleasure. When asked about the secret of longevity he owed it to a vegetarian diet and avoiding smoking, alcohol and fried food. Of marathon running he said, “The first 20 miles are not difficult. As for the last six miles, I keep talking to myself, ‘Keep it up, old boy!’ ”
4. What do we know about Fauja Singh?
A.He was first trained in Toronto. | B.He is the inspiration for a movie. |
C.He used to be a professional runner. | D.He is still active in competitive running now. |
5. What's the right order of the events?
① Fauja moved to the UK.
②Fauja hung up his running shoes.
③Fauja set 8 world records in a day
④Fauja's wife and two of his children died.
6. What contributes to Mr. Singh's long life?
A.His personal tragedies. | B.Smoking less. |
C.His passion for marathon. | D.His healthy lifestyle. |
7. What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Fauja Singh Turs 109 | B.A Lifelong Runner |
C.The Birth of a Bollywood Superstar | D.A Centenarian Runner |