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Hawa Singh is a legendary Indian boxer. Born on December 16, 1937, in Haryana, Hawa Singh reigned supreme both at the national and Asian circuit in his pet Heavyweight category.
After enrolling in the Indian Army in 1956, Hawa Singh annexed the Western Command title in 1960 defeating the defending champion Mohabbat Singh. From the next year on, Hawa Singh maintained a stranglehold over the Nationals winning the title a record 11 years on the trot (1961 to 1972).
Till date Hawa Singh remains the only Indian boxer to win the Asian Games boxing gold twice. He won the first gold in the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games and successfully defended his title in the 1970 edition. Hawa Singh's heroics gave Indian boxing a much-needed fillip in those early days.
Hawa Singh was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1966. He was also awarded the Dronacharya Award in 1999 for his contribution as a boxing coach.
