'I might have one leg only, but I'm as good as anyone else'

Meva Singh Dhesi, 71, says he is inspired by Fauja Singh, thought to be the world's oldest marathon runner, who died in July after being hit by a car

"I might have one leg only, but I am as good as anyone else, probably better," says 71-year-old para-athlete Meva Singh Dhesi.

At the age of 25, Meva lost his left leg after a car crashed into him. Eight weeks later, he won a badminton competition while using crutches.

Now, the Great British badminton player from Totteridge, north London, is aiming to compete in the London marathon after being motivated by Fauja Singh - the 114-year-old marathon runner from Ilford, east London, who died in July after being hit by a car in India.

"He was our hero. Not only for the Sikh community, for all of humanity," Meva said.

Fauja Singh (left) also known as the "Turbaned Tornado" set records by running marathons across multiple age categories, with his personal best time being five hours and 40 minutes at age 92

Meva joined hundreds of others taking part in the annual Sikh Games on 1-3 August, held for the first time in London, at Brunel University.

"Fauja Singh is the first person to inspire me to do a marathon," he said.

"At 89-years-old he started [running] marathons, it's not bad, is it? I've still got a few years to go.

Fauja Singh completed numerous runs for charities and organisations around the world.

Meva has since gone on to represent Great Britain and competed against able-bodied and disabled people in badminton.

After running his first marathon in 2019, his next ambition is to do the London marathon, "It doesn't matter how long I take; I want to finish it," he said.

Tarlochan Singh Sodhi, 80, used to be a member of the armed police in India

Also at the event was 80-year-old Tarlochan Singh Sodhi, who competed in the 200m sprint and beat his record from last year.

He appreciated Fauja Singh being a pioneer in getting older people active in sport.

"As an old person, we [normally] are at home, and we should participate in running and other things."

Sodhi used to enjoy running in his homeland, Punjab, India, but had to stop his passion when he immigrated to England and worked in a factory.

With encouragement from his son, he has got back into the sport and trains seven days a week.

Harinder (left) and Manjit (right) say keeping healthy helps your mind

Harinder and Manjit Grewal ran their first marathon with Fauja Singh and his running club, Sikhs In The City, in 2017.

"If he can do it, so can we, that was our mentality at the time," said Manjit.

"He was trying to inspire all of us, and he did, age didn't matter," said Harinder.

"For a gentleman who came over from India very late in his life, he lived it to the full and he inspired millions of people. That's Fauja Singh," he added.

The couple participated in a run in memory of Singh at his club in east London where members ran 114 laps, the age he died.

Singh's coach, Harmander Singh previously called him an "icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity."

Mandeep Moore, President of The Sikh Games, believes everyone has an "untapped potential"

Mandeep Moore, president of The Sikh Games, said she vividly remembered every hour Fauja Singh held the Olympic torch in 2012 as he ran down Newham High Street.

"It's unbelievable that he's gone," she said.

Moore recounted her mother and aunts preparing langar - free vegetarian food - to hand out to those watching him run on the sidelines.

She said: "It was such an iconic moment, not just for Sikhs.

"He's not the kind of person that has done it for himself; he is such a humble person and would do so much to give to people.

"When others look at our community, I hope they get a glance at the resilience and values that are embedded in every Sikh."