Widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Dean Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad, India and died on 3 December 1979 in Delhi. Chand’s incredible goal-scoring prowess and three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932 and 1936) cemented his legendary status. He joined the Indian Army in 1922 and rose to prominence after a successful tour of New Zealand with the Army team in 1926. Chand’s career highlights included leading India to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, scoring three goals in the final against Germany and scoring 133 goals during India’s 1932 World Tour. Nicknamed “The Wizard” for his exceptional ball handling skills, Chand played his last international match in 1948, having scored over 400 goals during his illustrious career.
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Major Dhyan Chand |
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Birth Name |
Dean Singh |
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Nick name |
Wizard, magician |
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born |
August 29, 1905[1] Agra and Allahabad, United Provinces of Oudh, British India (now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India) |
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die |
December 3, 1979 (74 years old)[2] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India |
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loyalty |
British India (1922–1947) See more : Optical Illusion to Test Your Vision: Can you find the Hidden Parrot in 8 Seconds? India (since 1947) |
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Services/Branches |
British Indian Army Indian Army |
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Years of service |
1922–1956 |
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rank |
Main |
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unit |
The first Brahmin 14th Punjab Regiment Punjab Regiment |
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Awards |
Lotus dress |
Why is Major Dhyan Chand called the “hockey wizard”?
The title of “Hockey Prodigy” was bestowed upon Major Dhyan Chand, a name that was inspired by the extraordinary intelligence he displayed in the game of hockey. His skill with the ball was mesmerizing, and viewers often found it hard to imagine that such skill could be achieved by a mere mortal. He was very good at controlling the ball; he effortlessly pierced through multiple defenders and scored goals with incredible ease. This mesmerizing aspect of his performances eventually earned him the nickname “The Wizard of Hockey”, a name that perfectly encapsulated his mesmerizing abilities.
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Major Dhyan Chand’s unwavering loyalty to the sport is reflected in his commitment to transcending the constraints of day and night and official orders. In the darkness of the night, he persevered in his quest for perfection, honing his skills under the benevolent gaze of the moon. This unwavering dedication earned him the nickname Dhyan Chand, which is derived from the Hindi word for “moon” and is a poignant tribute to his unwavering determination and relentless hard work.
The legend of Major Dhyan Chand
On 29th August 1905, Major Dhyan Chand Singh was born. He was born in Allahabad, India to Sharadha Singh and Sameshwar Singh. His journey led him to join the Indian Army, the force that was the melting pot for his extraordinary hockey talent.
Dhyan Chand’s rise to prominence began in 1926 when he was selected for the Indian Army team for the tour of New Zealand. During the tour, the Indian team performed well, winning 18 matches, drawing two and losing just one. This achievement won widespread acclaim, with Dhyan Chand being particularly praised for his performance in his first international match. Subsequently, upon his return home, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik in the Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army.
His skills were quickly recognized, prompting Dhyan Chand to join the Indian hockey team for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. With the sport making its Olympic debut, the newly formed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was determined to field a top team for the Games in the Netherlands. To determine the Olympic squad, the IHF organized an inter-provincial tournament with five teams participating: Punjab, Bengal, Rajasthan, United Provinces (UP), and Central Provinces. Dhyan Chand jumped at the chance to represent Uttar Pradesh, as the Army team had withdrew. With his deft handling and incisive running, he charmed the selectors and spectators and continually disrupted opposing defenses.
Major Dean Chand attends the Olympics
Dean Chand’s performance in the inter-provincial championship cemented his place in India’s premier Olympic hockey squad, playing at centre alongside partner Jorge Martins. Despite facing financial challenges ahead of the trip to Amsterdam, the Indian hockey team found its rhythm after arriving in the Netherlands.
The Indian team was led by Dhyan Chand who performed brilliantly in 5 matches, scoring 14 goals and eventually winning the gold medal in his first Olympic Games.
In the years that followed, the legend of Dhyan Chand began to flourish as the athlete from Allahabad continued to improve and played a key role in India’s successful defence of its Olympic title at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932. Significantly, his brother Roop Singh also joined the winning team, giving the victory extra significance.
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand was promoted to captain, a responsibility that further inspired him to perform. During the tournament, the Indian hockey team scored 38 goals to once again win the Olympic gold medal, conceding only one goal in the final. This achievement propelled India to three consecutive Olympic gold medals, an incredible feat that highlighted their dominance on the global stage.
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heritage
After his triumphant return from Berlin, Chand rejoined the Army and devoted himself to Army hockey. Although Indian hockey has achieved unprecedented success and reached new heights under the leadership of luminaries like Balbir Singh Sr, Chand’s indelible contribution remains unmatched.
Dhyan Chand completed his military service in 1956 with the rank of major and was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s pre-eminent civilian honour. He quickly transitioned into coaching and became the chief coach at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala. He lived until his death in 1979 at the age of 74, leaving an indelible mark on India.
India commemorates National Sports Day on August 29, Dhyan Chand’s birthday, and in a unique honour, he is the only hockey player to receive a commemorative stamp and first day cover. The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports is a prestigious national honour named after him. In further honour of his memory, the National Stadium in New Delhi is named after him as a testament to his legacy. Dhyan Chand’s story continues to fuel the aspirations of countless hockey players and remains a constant source of inspiration.
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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion