On National Sports Day, Here Are Eleven Interesting Facts About Hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand

When it comes to?Indian sport, Dhyan Chand's name is taken with respect. After all, his achievements do the talking. So much so that there are awards named after him. And a day to his name - National Sports Day.

1. Although he played hockey to become the best in the world, he loved wrestling as a child

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2. At the age of 16, Dhyan Chand became a sepoy in the British Army

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3. His original name is Dhyan Singh. He was popularly called Dhyan Chand because he practised till late in the night under the moon

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4. Chand was offered German citizenship by Hitler during the 1936 Berlin Olympics

5. Officials in Netherlands broke his hockey stick to check whether there's a magnet inside it. Yes, his excellence was that feared.

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6. Chand lost a tooth during a game in 1936. He had collided with German goalkeeper Tito Warnholtz

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7. He took India to three Olympic gold medals - 1928, 1932 and 1936

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8. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956

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9. He retired with the rank of Major in the Indian Army

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10. He has more than 400 international goals to his name

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11. His son Ashok Dhyan Chand also played hockey for India

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