Asian Games track and field gold medallist and Arjuna awardee Shivnath Singh passed away at his Adityapur residence in Jharkhand on Friday after a prolonged illness, his family said.

The 57-year-old athlete, who won the gold medal in 5,000 metres and a silver in 10,000 metres at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, was suffering from Hepatitis 'B'. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters and a son.

Born in Manjaria village in Bihar's Buxar district, Shivnath had a special liking for marathons. His best performance on the world stage came in 1976, when he finished 11th in the event at the Montreal Olympics. He also participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Shivnath, who set an Asian record while winning the gold in the Tehran Asiad, dominated the 5,000 and 10,000 metres in the national championships in the seventies. For his exploits he was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1974.

He joined the army in 1964 and won the silver medal in 1973 Phillipines athletic championships in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres.

He also won the silver in both events at the Korea athletic championships in 1975.

His best show at home was winning the Jallandhar marathon in record time of 2 hours, 11minutes and 59 seconds.

He joined TISCO in 1979 and opted for voluntary retirement a couple of years back.