Ranganathan Francis
Ranganathan Francis also known as Aranganathan (15 March 1920 – 1 December 1975) was an Indian field hockey player who represented India at international competitions and won three gold medals in the 1948 Summer Olympics, 1952 Summer Olympics, and 1956 Summer Olympics. Biography. He was born on 15 March 1920 as Manickam in Rangoon, Myanmar. He moved to Tamil Nadu just before the independence from the British Empire. He later converted from Hinduism to Christianity and he changed his name as Ranganathan Francis. He had three daughters R Mary(late), prakashini and Motsharagini(Retd SI of police)and one son Christy Roy(late)who  are all presently located in chennai. Francis died on 1 December 1975 at the age of 55. Career. He pursued his career as a hockey player with Madras Police and made it to the Indian national field hockey team as a goalkeeper. Francis represented India at the Olympics in 1948, 1952 and 1956 as a field hockey player. He served as a substitute goalkeeper for Leo Pinto in his maiden Olympic appearance which eventually came during the 1948 Summer Olympics where India thrashed Great Britain 4-0 in the final to clinch gold. He was also part of the Indian  team which secured gold medal in the final against the Netherlands where India registered a comfortable 6-1 win during the 1952 Summer Olympics. He served as a second goalkeeper besides Shankar Laxman at the 1956 Summer Olympics where India claimed gold defeating neighbours arch-rivals Pakistan 1-0 in the final. He also went onto equal the record of Richard Allen for being the only Indian goalkeepers among the seven hockey players to have won three Olympic gold medals. He also became only the second Indian hockey goalkeeper after Richard James Allen to feature in three Olympic Games. Francis  also served as a policeman in Madras Police division and retired from the police service in 1968. Legacy. He was referred to as "Singam" by many on the play field during his peak career. He was also nicknamed as 'Titan between the Posts' as he was regarded as a very good technician during his playing days who came way out of his gate when the Indian team attacked and acted as a defender. Tamil Nadu also started conducting Inspector Francis Memorial Hockey Tournament among schools, a tournament named after the veteran Ranganathan Francis. In April 2019, musical sports drama film  Natpe Thunai was released which was partially based on the true life story of Ranganathan Francis. However, he was referred to as Aranganathan in the film. In October 2020, it was revealed that Chennai Hockey Association passed a resolution to rename the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium which is situated in Egmore as Olympiam Francis Hockey Stadium in honour of late Ranganathan Francis.