Ken Powell

Ken Powell was a track athlete from India who was known as The Gentleman Sprinter. When Powell was 19, he played cricket for Indian Telephone Industries Limited. Playing as a fast bowler, his coach recognised his talent for running fast and suggested that Powell should become a sprinter. At the 1963 National Inter-State Athletics Championships, Powell won both the 100 metres and the 200 metres. He would later repeat the feat at the 1968 Championships.

Powell represented India at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He ran in the 100 and 200 metres but did not advance from the heats in either race. Powell was also part of the team that ran in the 4 × 100 metres relay, where India reached the semi-finals. Six years later, Powell ran in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the Asian Games, with India winning the bronze medal.

After his retirement, Powell played handball for Karnataka in the National Handball Championships. He also competed at the Asia Masters Athletics Championships during the 1970s and 1980s. For his recognition of his achievements, Powell was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1965, and the Rajyotsava Award in 2018.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.4 (1965); 200 – 21.1 (1965).