Budhia Singh

Budhia Singh is a four-year-old (as of 2006) Indian boy and the world's youngest marathon runner. Generally considered an athletic phenomenon, Budhia has participated in (and finished) races of up to 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) in roughly six hours and thirty minutes.

The boy, who was born in the general vicinity of Bhubaneswar, India, was sold by his mother for 800 Indian rupee (₨), (15€, 18$, 10£) because she could not afford to raise him. He was subsequently bought back by his Judo coach, Biranchi Das after learning that the boy possessed the ability to run uncanny distances for a boy his age.

Budhia's ability to run has led to a certain amount of celebrity status and he has appeared in a number of television commercials. These commercials and Budhia's fame have allegedly lead to significant financial gains on the behalf of Mr. Das. Controversy over the nature of these gains have led to accusations of exploitation against Mr. Das and an official inquiry by Indian child welfare officials was launched 4 January, 2006 [1].

As of 8th May 2006 a Government statement has ordered that he stop running. The announcement came after doctors found the boy had "high blood pressure and cardiological stress".

Budhia enters his name in the Limca Book of Records

On May 1, 2006, Budhia Singh from Orissa completed a record breaking 65 kilometer (km) run from Jagannath temple, Puri to Bhubaneshwar. He was accompanied by his coach Birinchi Das and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans. This feat was registered in the Limca Book of Records[2]

External Links

The Asian Pacific Post has an article on article on Budhia Singh