- His funeral prayers will be held on Monday in his hometown of Turab, Attock.
- Pakistan Athletics Federation pays tribute to Younus.
- Younis represented Pakistan in the 800m and 1500m events in the 1970s.
KARACHI: Malik Muhammad Yunus, one of Pakistan’s most famous middle-distance runners whose national records stood for nearly five decades, died on Tuesday of a heart attack, his family and the Pakistan Athletics Federation confirmed.
He was 77 years old.
Younis, widely regarded as a pioneer of Pakistani athletics, represented Pakistan in the 800m and 1500m events across several international competitions throughout the 1970s. Younis, known for his endurance and speed, won 56 gold medals locally and 27 gold medals internationally. His most notable victories include a gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran and a double podium finish at the 1973 Asian Track and Field Championships in Manila, where he won gold and silver.
His family said funeral prayers will be held on Monday in his hometown of Turab, in Attock district, where he will be buried.
His son, Bilal Ahmed, confirmed to Geo News that Younis was in good condition before he complained of discomfort this evening. He returned after seeing a doctor but died at home.
The Pakistan Athletics Federation mourned Younis, saying: “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. With great sadness, we announce the death of Captain (Retd) Malik Younis, a legendary figure in Pakistani athletics. His exceptional contributions to sports and his legacy in the Pakistani sports community will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to you.” Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Younis’s career was marked by historic achievements that strengthened his place in the Pakistani sporting legacy. His national record in the 1,500 metres, set in 1970 in Cologne, Germany, with a time of 3:41.4, remains unbroken to this day. He also set national records in the 3,000 meters (8:05.65) and 5,000 meters (14:08.4) in 1971 and 1977, respectively, while competing in Germany.
He also represented Pakistan in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.
His participation in the 1976 Montreal Olympics became a turning point after an alleged administrative error resulted in him being entered in the 800 meters instead of his preferred 1500 metres. Despite the setback, Yunus set a new national record in the 800m at the Games, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
In 1979, Younis’ competitive career was abruptly halted by a serious motorcycle accident, leaving him unable to continue at the elite level. However, he remained deeply involved in athletics and served as an inspiration to young athletes across Pakistan.
His contributions were officially recognized in 1991 when he was awarded the Pride of Performance Medal, one of Pakistan’s highest honors for his contributions to the arts, sciences and sports.
Younis’ death marks the end of an era for Pakistani athletics.