‘Bheem’ Praveen Kumar Sobti: Winner on the field and a real-life hero off it

Express News Service

CHENNAI:  A Colossal figure with a mace in hand flashed across the pixelated colour TV screen striding with anger as a soft but commanding voice stops him and says “bhrata Bheem shant…” (Brother Bheem peace). Those words may sound rudimentary in the canvas of life but the emotions and nostalgia it evokes are as intense and gripping as the epic TV series — Mahabharata. All its characters were special too. Bheem, perhaps for his stature and the role he played, stood out. 

Replace Bheem’s mace with a discus and he would cha­nge to Praveen Kumar Sobti — whose real life was overshadowed by his reel life and was known more for his role in the epic TV series than his exploits on the field. Not too many knew before acting he was an athlete, one who has featured in the Olympics. He was a thrower with medals to show in the Asian Games and even one of the toughest stages, the Commonwealth Ga­mes. No wonder his peers and teammates still remember him as one of those colossal figures who defined Indian sports when it was struggling for identity. 

On Tuesday when he bre­a­thed last, former chief natio­nal coach and Asian Games gold medallist Bahadur Singh was among his peers who remembers him as a genial person. He may look intimidating but according to Singh, he was a very jovial person who would keep everyone happy. “We studied together in Khalsa College, Amritsar,” said Singh, who was his senior and later during international duties would go on to share rooms. Praveen Kumar was from a small village called Sarhali Kalan, 50km off Amritsar. “I spoke to him for almost an hour last week. We were in touch and among other things talked about athletics.” 

The best part was that Praveen was very motivated as an athlete. He won the Asian Games gold in 1966 and 1970 and silver in 1974. All in discus. He was among the first field athletes to win a silver CWG (hammer throw).  Lack of coaches was a big problem athletes faced then. There was no one to correct th­eir techniques and postu­res. Towards the later half of his career, Praveen was struggling with a back problem — an affliction that lived with him until his last days. 

Full story: newindianexpress.com