Henry Rebello was one of India’s early track and field stars, particularly known for his triple jump achievements in the 1940s. His achievements in the field of athletics, particularly at a young age, have become part of Indian sporting history. Here are the key details of his early triumphs:
Henry Rebello won the triple jump event at the age of just 17 years in 1946, showcasing his remarkable talent and potential in the sport.
His victory at such a young age was an early indicator of his potential in athletics, and it made him one of the most promising athletes in India at the time.
Henry Rebello set a national record of 50 feet 2 inches in the triple jump at the 1948 National Games.
This mark stood as the national record for a long period and was an important milestone in Indian athletics history.
The record was only surpassed after 23 years, in 1971, by Mohinder Singh, another prominent Indian athlete in the triple jump.
Rebello’s victory at the 1946 Bangalore meet and his record at the 1948 National Games were crucial moments in Indian athletics, especially during a time when the country was still emerging from the shadow of British colonial rule.
His performances helped inspire a new generation of athletes to take up track and field events, especially the triple jump, which was relatively new in India at the time.
Henry Rebello was one of the pioneers in Indian triple jump and helped lay the foundation for the sport in the country. His performances put India on the map in the field of track and field athletics, even though his national record was only broken decades later.
His 50 ft 2 in. record at the 1948 National Games remained the national record for an impressive 23 years, underscoring the difficulty of breaking such a mark and the high level of his achievement at the time.
In the years following India’s independence in 1947, Rebello’s successes helped establish a strong foundation for Indian athletics, particularly in the field events.
Athletes like Rebello contributed to the growth of track and field as a sport in India during the early post-independence era, setting records that would inspire future generations.
The triple jump was a discipline that Indian athletes did not traditionally excel in, but Henry Rebello’s success in this event helped bring attention to it. His national record stood as a benchmark for future athletes in the country, particularly in long jump and triple jump events.
After setting the national record in 1948, Henry Rebello’s athletic career remained notable, but his record was eventually surpassed by Mohinder Singh in 1971. However, Rebello’s place in history as one of India’s early track and field pioneers remained secure.
Henry Rebello’s achievements in the triple jump, especially his victory in Bangalore in 1946 and his national record of 50 feet 2 inches set at the 1948 National Games, were significant milestones for Indian athletics. His early success at such a young age and his long-standing national record helped inspire future generations of athletes in India and laid the foundation for the development of track and field in the country.
