KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian sports industry mourns the passing of legendary Malaysian 400-metre runner and two-time Olympian, Datuk Asirvatham Victor, who passed on in Ipoh yesterday at the age of 81 due to breathing difficulties.
Back in 1948, a young Asirvatham chanced upon his natural athleticism when he managed to chase down a school runner for taking his pencil box.
The national athlete, whose greatest achievements include clinching 14 gold medals in both the 400m and 4 x 400m events at the SEA Games as well as four silver medals at the 1962, 1966, 1970 and 1974 Asian Games respectively, represented the country in both the 1962 and 1966 Commonwealth Games and competed in the 400 metre events at both the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Throughout his athletics career, Asirvatham had the opportunity to meet and exchange pleasantries with numerous notable dignitaries, such as the Duke of Edinburgh, the former president of Indonesia, the late Sukarno, the former Prime Minister of India, the late Indira Gandhi, the former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela and the former dictator of Uganda, the late Idi Amin.
In remembrance of the late Datuk Asirvatham Victor, here are some of the condolences shared by local sports industry figures:
“On behalf of the OCM, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family. Great loss to the sports fraternity and we will always remember him, the Ipoh-born Olympian, as a towering personality in athletics.”
─ Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (Olympic Council Malaysia President)
“My condolences to his family. I knew him from (those) Ipoh days, and (when) we represented Malaysia at the Olympics and Asian Games. A hard-working athlete, as he even participated in the veteran’s championship. May his soul rest in peace.”
─ Datuk Nashatar Singh (former javelin thrower and two-time Olympian (1964 & 1968)
“Another (bit of) sad news in such a short period. I knew Datuk Asir Victor (from Ipoh) well. A self-made athlete. He worked in TNB and trained in the mornings, evenings, and whenever time permitted. He also helped his family manage their provision shop in Buntong, Ipoh. I have seen him run in many great races. Heartfelt condolences to the family.”
─ Datuk K. Yogeswaran (former national hockey player and two-time Olympian (1964 & 1968)
“Datuk Asir Victor was an inspiration (to me) and although I did not get the chance to know him well, his achievements speak for itself. What a great sportsman and I believe that he will surely be missed and remembered.”
─ Norseela Khalid (former national 400m hurdles runner and current Malaysian Olympian president)
“I did not know Datuk Asir Victor well as he lived in Ipoh and I was in KL, but I am aware of his great achievements, namely participating in two Olympics in 1964 & 1968 and his medal win at the SEA Games and Asian Games. He was a remarkable athlete, and all Malaysians should be proud of him.
“During his days, the environment was very different, and the athletes were dedicated and made sacrifices to succeed, and Datuk Asir was such an athlete.”
─ Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (former honorary secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia)
The Vibes would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Datuk Asirvatham Victor. May his soul rest in peace. ─ The Vibes, 12 May 2021
