Athletics: Hammer throw great Semret breathes his last

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national hammer thrower Semret Singh has passed away at the age of 66.

His second son, Amarraj Singh, said his father died at 9.30am at his residence in Sungai Buloh yesterday.

Apart from Amarraj, Semret also left behind his wife, Gurdip Kaur, 61, and three other sons.

“We (family) are surprised by his death as he was fit and had no medical issues,” said Amarraj.

Amarraj, 35, added that the remains of the two-time SEA Games champion would be taken to the Loke Yew Crematorium in Kuala Lumpur for the public to pay their last respects.

“He was such an inspiration to me and someone to look up to, especially in sports. He was indeed a great father and we truly miss him,” he added.

Apart from winning the SEA Games gold at the 1985 Bangkok and 1989 Kuala Lumpur editions, Semret also bagged three silver medals in the 1981 (Manila), 1983 (Singapore) and 1987 (Jakarta). — Bernama