Role of Bhim in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat made Praveen Kumar Sobti immortal. The late eighties epic television series made him a household name and it was only then, when most of the country came to know about his sporting excellence.

Before hogging the limelight because of his presence on screen, he was a double Olympic hammer thrower, four-time Asian Games medalist, including back-to-back gold in discus throw, and a Commonwealth Games medalist in hammer throw.

He was conferred with the Arjuna award – then the highest sporting honour – in 1967, almost two decades before BR Chopra’s 94-part Mahabharat was telecasted.

Born in a Khatri family at village Sirhali, Amritsar, Praveen Kumar’s excellence in throwing events had made him a torch bearer of Indian throw events in Olympics.     

After Punjab’s Somnath Chopra, who competed in hammer throw event in 1948 London Olympics, Praveen Kumar was the second Indian thrower (in any throw event) to compete in the Olympics. He competed in hammer throw in 1968 Olympics and four-year late in discus throw in Munich.  

Praveen Kumar became the first Indian thrower to compete in two Olympics, first Indian thrower to win a medal in Commonwealth Games – silver in hammer throw in 1966.

His national record in hammer throw stood for almost two decades.

Praveen Kumar, who passed away on February 7 at the age of 75, played a pivotal role in the foundation of Indian throw events.

Now, throw events are considered as a back-bone of Indian athletics contingent in Olympics.

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won gold in the Tokyo Olympics. Discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur finished sixth.

Discus thrower Krishna Punia became the first Indian thrower to make it to the finals of the Olympics (in 2012). She finished sixth.

Discus thrower Seema Antil became the country’s first athlete to win a medal in four successive Commonwealth Games. She is also the first Indian thrower to compete in four Olympics.  

The role of Bhim in Mahabharat made Praveen Kumar immortal, but his first identity was of an Olympian thrower. He was a star on both the sports field and television screen. He will be remembered forever.