Malik Muhammad Younis, considered one of Pakistan’s most celebrated middle-distance runners. — Geo Information/Faizan LakhaniHis funeral prayers to be held on Monday in hometown Turap, Attock.Athletics Federation of Pakistan pays tribute to Younis. Younis represented Pakistan within the 800m, 1500m contests in Seventies.
KARACHI: Malik Muhammad Younis, considered one of Pakistan’s most celebrated middle-distance runners whose nationwide information have stood for practically 5 a long time, handed away on Tuesday resulting from a coronary heart assault, his household and Athletics Federation of Pakistan confirmed.
He was 77.
Younis, extensively thought to be a pioneer in Pakistani athletics, represented Pakistan within the 800m and 1500m occasions throughout a number of worldwide competitions all through the Seventies. Identified for his endurance and velocity, Younis clinched 56 gold medals domestically and 27 golds internationally. His most notable victories embody a gold medal on the 1974 Asian Video games in Tehran and a double podium end on the 1973 Asian Observe & Discipline Championships in Manila, the place he gained gold and silver.
His funeral prayers might be held on Monday in his hometown of Turap, within the Attock District, the place he might be laid to relaxation, stated his household.
Younis’ profession was punctuated by historic achievements that cemented his place in Pakistan’s sporting legacy. His nationwide report within the 1500m, set in 1970 in Cologne, Germany, with a time of three:41.4, stays unbroken to at the present time. He additionally set nationwide information within the 3000m (8:05.65) and 5000m (14:08.4) occasions in 1971 and 1977, respectively, throughout competitions in Germany.
He additionally represented Pakistan within the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.
His participation within the 1976 Montreal Olympics turned a turning level after an alleged administrative error led to his entry within the 800m occasion as an alternative of his favoured 1500m. Regardless of the setback, Younis set a brand new nationwide report within the 800m on the Video games, displaying resilience within the face of adversity.
In 1979, Younis’ aggressive profession was abruptly lower quick resulting from a critical bike accident, which left him unable to proceed on the elite degree. But, he remained deeply concerned in athletics and served as an inspiration to younger athletes throughout Pakistan.
His contributions have been formally recognised in 1991 when he was awarded the Satisfaction of Efficiency, considered one of Pakistan’s highest honours for contributions to the humanities, sciences, and sports activities.
Younis’ loss of life marks the top of an period for Pakistani athletics.
