Murlikant Petkar: Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More
Quick Info
Height: 5' 9"
Age: 75 Years
Hometown: Sangli, Maharashtra
Murlikant Petkar: Bio/Wiki
Full name: Murlikant Rajaram Petkar
Profession: Former Indian Athlete
Famous for: Being India's first Paralympic gold medalist
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.):
in centimeters: 175 cm
in meters: 1.75 m
in feet & inches: 5’ 9”
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Sports Achievements
International Debut: In the 1964 International Services Sports Meet, held in Tokyo.
Coach/Mentor: Jawahar (1968-1972)
Major Achievements
1965: Raksha Medal
1969 & 1971: Gold at the Stoke Mandeville International Paraplegic Meet
1970:
Gold in 50-metre freestyle swimming
Silver in javelin throw
Bronze in shot-put at the 3rd Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Edinburgh, Scotland
1971: Best Swimmer Shield by Gen Manekshaw
1972: World record in 50m freestyle swimming with a time of 37.33 seconds
1973: Gaurav Padak by Mayor of Pune N. B. Limaye
1969-1973: General Championship Cup for five consecutive years
1975:
Special Prize for outstanding performance by Pune Jaycees
Shiv Chhatrapati Award by the Government of Maharashtra (first award given to a disabled athlete in India)
1976: Honoured by the President of All India Mayors Council for being the National Champion for 7 years straight
1979: Krida Pratishthan Award by Shri Vijay Merchant
1981: Outstanding Sportsman Award by Mayor of Pune
2018: Padma Shri Award by former President Ram Nath Kovind
Personal Life
Date of Birth: 1 November 1947 (Saturday)
Age (as of 2023): 75 Years
Birthplace: Peth Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Sangli, Maharashtra
School: He did his schooling in his hometown
Educational Qualifications: Class 5
Relationships & More
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Name Not Known
Children:
Son: Arjun Petkar
Parents:
Father: Name Not Known (freedom-fighter)
Siblings: He has five siblings
Some Lesser Known Facts About Murlikant Petkar
Murlikant Petkar is a former Indian athlete and Paralympic gold medalist. He made history by securing India’s first-ever gold medal in the Summer Paralympics Games in 1972 and setting a world record with a remarkable time of 37.33 seconds in the 50m freestyle swimming in the same event.
After completing his studies till 5th standard in his hometown, he moved to his paternal aunt’s home in Pune. Since childhood, Petkar had a strong passion for sports, excelling particularly in wrestling, athletics, and hockey.
Early Career: At a young age, Petkar joined the Indian Army as a private in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). While serving in the army, he actively took part in different service sports events.
War Injury: In September 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War, Petkar sustained nine gunshot wounds and was run over by an army vehicle, which paralyzed his lower body.
Post-Injury Career: Following his injury, he took up swimming, javelin throw, and shot put. He became a world-renowned Paralympic athlete, setting multiple records and winning numerous medals.
Inspirational Journey
Transition to Sports: While undergoing treatment at INHS Asvini Hospital in Mumbai, his physiotherapist suggested swimming to him. Encouraged by former cricketer Vijay Merchant, Petkar went on to set a world record in swimming.
Employment: In 1972, he joined TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co.) in Pune and worked there for nearly three decades, holding the position of Senior Assistant in the company’s Public Relations Department.
Literary Recognition: Various authors have featured Petkar’s life story in their books, including ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ by Aparna Jain, ‘Courage Beyond Compare’ by Medini Sharma and Sanjay Sharma, and ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi Tak’ by Vinay Jaiswal. In 2021, the CBSE board incorporated Petkar’s life story in the book ‘Reading Literacy.’
Murlikant Petkar's remarkable journey from a decorated soldier to a world-record-setting Paralympian is a testament to his resilience and dedication. His story continues to inspire generations of athletes and serves as a shining example of overcoming adversity with grace and determination.
Visit here to read more
People Also Ask
What are the awards of Murlikant Petkar?
Murlikant Petkar has received numerous awards and honors throughout his illustrious career:
1965: Raksha Medal
1969 & 1971: Gold medals at the Stoke Mandeville International Paraplegic Meet
1970:
Gold in 50-metre freestyle swimming
Silver in javelin throw
Bronze in shot-put at the 3rd Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Edinburgh, Scotland
1971: Best Swimmer Shield by General Manekshaw
1972: Set a world record in 50m freestyle swimming with a time of 37.33 seconds
1973: Gaurav Padak by the Mayor of Pune
1969-1973: General Championship Cup for five consecutive years
1975:
Special Prize for outstanding performance by Pune Jaycees
Shiv Chhatrapati Award by the Government of Maharashtra (first award given to a disabled athlete in India)
1976: Honored by the President of All India Mayors Council for being the National Champion for 7 years straight
1979: Krida Pratishthan Award by Shri Vijay Merchant
1981: Outstanding Sportsman Award by the Mayor of Pune
2018: Padma Shri Award by former President Ram Nath Kovind
Who is Chandu champion in real life Murlikant Petkar?
Chandu Champion is a character inspired by the real-life story of Murlikant Petkar. Murlikant Petkar is an Indian Paralympian who overcame severe injuries sustained during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 to become India's first Paralympic gold medalist. His determination and achievements in sports, despite his disabilities, make him a true champion and an inspirational figure.
A nadie le importa.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit