Athletics icon Younus is no more

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan mourns the loss of its legendary middle-distance runner, Honorary Captain (retd) Malik Mohammad Younus, who passed away at 76 due to a cardiac arrest on Tuesday. Widely regarded as the finest middle-distance athlete Pakistan has ever produced, Younus burst into the spotlight in the 1970s and left an indelible mark on the nation’s athletic history.

In 1974, he captured Asia’s attention by clinching the gold in the 1500m at the 7th Asian Games in Tehran, a victory that earned him recognition as the best middle-distance runner on the continent. This triumph was followed by impressive performances and numerous gold medals in globally recognized meets in Germany and Finland. Reflecting on his remarkable win in Tehran, Younus once shared, “When I clocked 3:4 sec for gold, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto himself acknowledged my feat, encouraging me to bring glory to Pakistan.”

The athletics community is mourning his passing, with figures like former national champion Salman Butt and Paris Olympic medalist Arshad Nadeem’s coach expressing their sorrow. “He was fearless and incredibly strategic, using his skill to overcome his opponents in the 1500m and 800m,” Butt recalled, highlighting Younus’s legacy as a relentless and gifted competitor.

For Pakistani athletics, Younus was more than a star; he was a trailblazer and a source of pride. Known as the sole breadwinner of Pakistani athletics in the 1970s, his achievements and records remain unmatched to this day, a testament to his greatness and dedication. Malik Mohammad Younus’s legacy lives on — a true champion who lifted Pakistan’s spirit with his enduring achievements.