Two Indian cyclists, David Beckham Elkatohchoongo and Ronaldo Laitonjam Singh, are set to compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The athletes, named after global football superstars, will participate in track cycling events.
David Beckham Elkatohchoongo, 23, received his name from an uncle who was a fervent admirer of the former England captain. According to a 2020 interview, his uncle celebrated Beckham's goal against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup by dancing all night and subsequently insisted on naming his nephew David Beckham.
Ronaldo Laitonjam Singh, 24, is named after the Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, rather than Ronaldo Nazario or Cristiano Ronaldo. His naming is linked to an event during the 2002 World Cup when Ronaldinho scored a memorable free-kick against England goalkeeper David Seaman. The cyclist's father reportedly won a bet on the outcome of that free-kick and was informed of his wife's labor at the same moment the ball entered the net, leading him to believe the child would be lucky.
David Beckham Elkatohchoongo will compete in the men's Keirin event, while Ronaldo Laitonjam Singh is entered in the men's 1000m time trial at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome. Elkatohchoongo competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games but did not advance. Both cyclists aim to secure gold medals at the current Games.