GUNTUR: The first swimmer to have represented India in the Olympics, Mehboob Shamsher Khan, died of cardiac arrest at Kaithepalle village near Repalle town in the district on Sunday.
He won international acclaim in 1956 when he finished 5th in the tournament in Melbourne. Interestingly, no Indian swimmer has beaten Khan’s record of finishing fifth, despite improved infrastructure and coaching facilities in the last six decades.
Khan served in the Army for nearly 24 years and retired a subedar. He is survived by two sons and grandchildren. His family, which survives solely on his pension, lives in utter penury. While his elder son Sajid Vali is still serving in the army, Khan was living with his younger son Ali in their hometown.
Khan set a national record in the 200 m butterfly stroke round in 1954, and broke all records at the national meet in Bangalore in 1955, earning a slot in the Olympic squad.
Khan, who joined the Army in 1946, fought two crucial battles: The 1962 war against China and the 1971 war against Pakistan. He was inducted into the Madras Engineer Group in Bangalore and completed nearly 24 years of service in the Army.
Khan suffered a heart attack a few years ago.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Opposition leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy condoled the death of the champion swimmer.