Phadeppa (Pavananjey) Dareppa Chaugule was India’s first Olympic marathon runner. He represented India in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium and finished 19th with a timing of 2 hours 50 minutes 45.2 seconds. He hails from the town of Belgaum (Now Belagavi) in Karnataka.
The Karnataka state government has no record of this feat even though the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintain records of his participation in the marathon race at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp.
Abhay Patil MLA Belagavi South had asked in a unstarred Question in the assembly session whether the state government was aware of Chaugule’s achievement. “It has been 100 years since PD Chaugule’s achievement. Does the state government have any intention of celebrating the centenary,” Patil further sought to know.
In response to the question the State Govt replied, it would get information from the Indian Olympics Association and the Karnataka Olympics Association before taking any decision in this regard.
P.D.Chaugule participated in the Marathon at the 1920 Antwerp, Belgium Olympics on 22nd August and finished 19th. It was just one run for him but a great milestone for India!
He was born in 1902 into farmer’s family from Sheri Galli. He used to practice for the marathon by running bare footed from Belgaum to Khanapur. He expired in 1952.
Chaugule did not finish 10,000 metres ; In the marathon he was 19th in 2 hours 50:45.4 and awarded a diploma of merit for being a top 30 finisher.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/PdChaugule
It is indeed a great achievement of the person in 1920’s. However it seems that the expectations are too high when you want everyone else to be aware of this. My children find it hard to remember their Grandparents name ???.
Great person proud to Belgaum
Great person and his achievement proud to Belgaum
Abhay Sir please release special cover from the postal department as you did for Anand Sir.
Hi, this was really a big achievement for India especially Belgaum. Sad, that no textbooks or any record has been preserved to remind us of this feat.
Would be happy if we could use the term,”passed away” instead of “expired” as we aren’t medicines.
Thank You
Rare information and great Achievement ??
Proud to be belgaumite ❤❤
We are proud of him without expertise he dashed in Olympics.So many sportsmen from Nbelgavi.State govt has not taken any initiative in past or present
Great achievement, proud feel being as belagavi resident…