Shankar Laxman

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameShankar Pillay•Laxman
Used nameShankar•Laxman
Other namesShankar Lakshman
Born7 July 1933 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh (IND)
Died29 April 2006 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh (IND)
Measurements167 cm / 64 kg
AffiliationsServices Sport Control Board, New Delhi (IND)
NOC India
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

As a teenager, Shankar Laxman quit school to join the Indian Army. Originally a football player, he learned hockey in the Army, and represented the armed forces in the Indian competition, and was soon selected as the goalkeeper for the Indian national team. Playing in a period of intense hockey rivalry - not to mention political tension - between Indian and Pakistan, Laxman played six major international finals, all against Pakistan. He won his first Olympic gold medal in 1956, but then lost three consecutive finals at the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games, and the 1960 Olympics. India recovered to win at the 1964 Olympics and 1966 Asian Games, with Laxman the captain at the latter tournament. After missing the selection for the 1968 Olympics, Laxman quit hockey. He remained with the Army, retiring in 1979 as a captain of the Maratha Light Infantry. He lived the final years of his life in poverty, and died after suffering gangrene in one leg. Following his death, the stadium at the infantry school in his home town Mhow was renamed in Laxman’s honor.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Hockey IND Shankar Laxman
Hockey, Men (Olympic) India 1 Gold
1960 Summer Olympics Hockey IND Shankar Laxman
Hockey, Men (Olympic) India 2 Silver
1964 Summer Olympics Hockey IND Shankar Laxman
Hockey, Men (Olympic) India 1 Gold

Special Notes

Errata

Date of birth earlier given as 4 July 1933, but 7 July listed in obituary.