Four-year-old running prodigy Budhia Singh collapsed due to low blood sugar during a 40-mile run last Tuesday:

The Running Man

Diagnosing Budhia’s collapse during Tuesday’s 65-km run as hypoglycemia, where blood sugar level falls, a doctor feared the boy could suffer serious injuries by the time he reaches 15 if there is periosteal tear on the bones. [Link]

Doctors have examined him and said he should not be allowed to ultramarathon until he’s older:

… the panel headed by the chief medical officer of Capital Hospital… is said to have noted that the boy’s serum urea, potassium and ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) levels were on the higher side. “Signs of under-nourishment, vitamin deficiency and pallor have been noted. The boy should not run, as reflected by the abnormal parameters of health…” [Link]

Heeding the doctors, the Orissa government has banned Budhia from marathoning or being coerced to run marathons:

Orissa government has barred him from running marathons and threatened action against anybody who makes the four-year-old participate in long distance runs… Budhia’s cardiological system was under stress and he was under-nourished with anaemia and angular stomatitis, the [doctor’s] report had said. [Link]

Some activists, disbelieving Budhia’s 40 mile feat, wonder whether he’s living up to his name:

… he may earn another distinction by becoming the youngest in athletic world to go through dope test. “The doctors have suggested dope testing for Budhia who ran such a long distance…” [Link]

Conventional wisdom says that making a child run ultramarathons could impair his bone development and stunt his growth. Some of the risks:

Richard Godfrey, a sports science lecturer and former chief physiologist at the British Olympic Medical Centre, said: “This lad will probably stop growing soon because the impact from his running will have damaged the ends of his bones.” [Link]

A number of doctors had also voiced their concern on the issue saying long distance runs could make heart beat faster to meet the extra oxygen need which could lead to heart failure. Further, they said Buddhia’s cartilages could face serious wear and tear, ultimately affecting his normal growth. [Link]

  1. High risk of heatstroke…
  2. The growing ends of long bones could be damaged, leading to growth retardation
  3. Early onset of osteoarthritis - damage and loss of cartilage of joints - which may cripple the child in future
  4. Risk of cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart) which may lead to cardiac complications in the future
  5. Burnout - complete physical, emotional and mental exhaustion [Link]

Singh’s coach sees his meal ticket slipping away:

Biranchi Das and Budhia Singh

… Budhia’s coach [Biranchi] Das rubbished the findings of the medical panel. “I have no reason to believe the tests are accurate. [Link]

Budhia’s mother is an illiterate dishwasher and his father was an alcoholic beggar. He was sold for 800 rupees ($23) to a street hawker after his father died three years ago. [Link]

Unlike aggressive, upper-middle-class desi American parents (Spellbound, KaavyaGate), Budhia’s coach Biranchi Das sounds like he may be pushing the kid out of economic pressure, the same reason why child labor is so widespread on the subcontinent.

Rich or poor, prodigy or no, making a baby run a marathon is child abuse. Doesn’t that little face make you want to just gather him up in your arms?

Related post: Pssst. I’ll sell you some Budhia for $20