{
  "id": 10463585,
  "title": "Olympian Karu Selvaratnam hospitalised with heart problem",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/olympian-karu-selvaratnam-hospitalised-with-heart-problem",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T14:09:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1543351/olympian-karu-selvaratnam-hospitalised-heart-problem"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Olympic athlete Karu Selvaratnam, a former national track and field competitor, has been hospitalized at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) due to a heart condition. National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) secretary Aminuddin Mohd Naser confirmed that Karu, aged 85, is receiving treatment for his heart problem. His wife, Datin Miriam Rohini Shanta, revealed that he has a blocked artery (90 percent) and kidney issues.\n\nYakeb presented a token to Karu, expressing their hopes for his recovery. Karu competed for Malaysia in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay events, as well as at the 1962 Indonesia Asian Games and the 1961 SEAP Games. He earned medals in both athletics and cricket, and was also the Armed Forces bantamweight boxing champion.\n\nMeanwhile, another Olympian and former World Cup hockey player, Brian Sta Maria, is recuperating at his residence in Petaling Jaya. Aminuddin stated that Brian, who was admitted to UMMC, has since been discharged. Brian suffers from Parkinson's disease and experienced a fall at his home in August, which led to his admission due to a back injury.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Datuk Karu Selvaratnam, who is a former national track and field athlete, has been admitted to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}