New Delhi, India, February 9, 2022: Asian Games gold medallist Praveen Kumar Sobti, who also represented India at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, died after a heart attack on Monday. He was 74, reports Olympics.com.
Born in Punjab on December 6, 1947, Praveen Kumar Sobti went on to become one of India’s top athletes during the 1960s and 70s.
A soldier in the newly-formed Border Security Force (BSF) in 1965, Praveen Kumar Sobti gained recognition for his impressive athletic skills and represented India at the Asian Games, Olympics and Commonwealth Games among other major events.
Praveen Kumar Sobti won a gold medal in the discus throw at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1966 and clinched a bronze in hammer throw at the same edition. He also won a silver in hammer throw at the Commonwealth Games 1966 in Jamaica earlier that year.
After representing India at the Mexico 1968 Olympics, Praveen Kumar Sobti went on to defend his gold medal in the Asian Games 1970, again in Bangkok, and followed it up with a silver medal in discus throw at the 1974 edition in Tehran. He also participated in the Munich 1972 Olympic Games.
Praveen Kumar Sobti finished 20th in hammer throw at Mexico 1968 and came in 26th in the men’s discus throw competition at Munich 1972.
Post his retirement in sports, Praveen Kumar, who was six feet six inches tall, went on to become an actor in the Hindi television and film industry. The role which made him a household name in the entire country was playing Bheem in BR Chopra’s television adaptation Mahabharat - one of India’s ancient epics.
The Sports Authority of India said: “We are saddened by the untimely demise of Arjuna Awardee, Olympian and 4-time Asian Games medalist, Praveen Kumar Sobti, a hammer and discus thrower. Sobti was also known for his role as Bheem in Mahabharat. Our condolences to his family and the athletics fraternity.”
An Arjuna Awardee, Praveen Kumar Sobti is survived by his wife, daughter, two younger brothers and a sister.
(www.olympics.com)
Photos: Sports Authority of India
