<P> The race for which Singh is best remembered is his fourth - place finish in the 400 metres final at the 1960 Olympic Games , which he had entered as one of the favourites . He led the race till the 200m mark before easing off , allowing others to pass him . Various records were broken in the race , which required a photo - finish and saw American Otis Davis being declared the winner by one - hundredth of a second over German Carl Kaufmann . Singh 's fourth - place time of 45.73 became the Indian national record and held for almost 40 years . </P>
<P> The race for which Singh is best remembered is his fourth - place finish in the 400 metres final at the 1960 Olympic Games , which he had entered as one of the favourites . He led the race till the 200m mark before easing off , allowing others to pass him . Various records were broken in the race , which required a photo - finish and saw American Otis Davis being declared the winner by one - hundredth of a second over German Carl Kaufmann . Singh 's fourth - place time of 45.73 became the Indian national record and held for almost 40 years . </P>
in which year did milkha singh win the first national title in the 400-m race
in which year did milkha singh win the first national title in the 400-m race
1960
1960