India's Naveen downs Bhola Bhala in Rustam-e-Pak-o-Hind

LAHORE - Bashir Bhola Bhala failed to maintain his supremacy in traditional wrestling as he lost the most prestigious sub-continent title - the Rustam-e-Pak-o-Hind dangal - to an Indian Olympian here at the Punjab Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Amidst cheers, clapping and beat of the drums, Bashir entered the arena in a traditional style jumping and leaping to face  Naveen Kumar of India. But the Indian wrestler, who had just returned from Beijing where he won bronze medal, proved too strong for Bhola Bhala.

Naveen arrived here on Tuesday evening for the dangal and too quick and sharp for Bashir. The Pakistani wrestler, who had just last month won the inaugural Sher-e-Pakistan dangal, took maximum time out to prevent Naveen prevail over him, and consumed fifteen minutes in the 30 minutes dangal for rest. However, Naveen clawed his hands over the neck of Bashir and later after some show of strength downed him to claim the title on points.