Indian sports personalities who lost battle to COVID

Chandro Tomar, 89, Shooting: The world's oldest woman shooter, Chandro Tomar, 89, died after battling Covid-19 on Saturday (April 30, 2021). Nicknamed as shooter dadi, she was admitted to a hospital in Meerut after being infected by COVID on April 26. She hails from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.

Chandro along with her sister-in-law Prakashi started the sport in late nineties and won several medals in the state and national championships. A bollywood movie based on their lives ‘Saand Ki Aankh’, was released in 2019.

“Mera saath chhoot gaya, Chandro kaha chali gayi (She has left me. Chandro where have you gone),” Prakashi tweeted.

Anupama Puchimanda, 40, Hockey: Former national-level hockey player and international umpire Anupama Puchimanda lost the battle to COVID on April18, 2021. She was 40-year old and hails from Karnataka. In the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, she became the first woman umpire from India to officiate the CWG. She went on to officiate in over 90 international matches.

Suhas Kulkarni, 68, Table Tennis: In the first week of April, 2021, Former international table tennis player Suhas Kulkarni succumbed to COVID. He was living in Thane, Maharashtra.

Last year:

Chetan Chauhan, 73, Cricket: Last year, former Indian test cricketer and politician Chetan Chauhan lost the battle to COVID. He was serving as a minister Uttar Pradesh government.

Nikhil Nandy, 88, Football: 1956 Melbourne Olympian footballer Nandy died to COVID. He was one of the best half-backs the country has ever produced. He was based in Kolkota.  

Ramesh Tikaram, 51, para athlete: Arjuna awardee and paralympian Ramesh Tikaram succumbed to COVID last year in Bangalore. The international para athlete was instrumental in popularizing para badminton in India, and had dealt with polio since he was two.

E Hamsakoya, 61, Football: Former Santosh trophy player from Malabar Hamsakoya died last year due to COVID. He was also in the national team for Nehru Trophy and had played for Mohun Bagan, Railways and Tata Sports.

Sanjay Dobal,52, Cricket: Former Delhi allrounder Dobal died due to COVID last year. He was employed with Air India and was based in Delhi.