India's Naveen downs Bhola Bhala in Rustam-e-Pak-o-Hind
By ASHER BUTT August 27, 2008 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.
After losing the title of Rustam-e-Pak-o-Hind to Naveen, Bashir showed his disappointment but said he would bounce back. "My eyes are now set on Rustam-e-Pakistan title which I want to retain for the 15th time. The dangal of Pakistani rustam will be held at the same venue on August 31."
The Pakistan wrestlers were at the receiving end in the last leg of the dangal with Indian pehlwans, and it was only after three bouts that Pakistan pehlwan Usman Billu won the bout.
Usman beat Asab Pahlwan in just five minutes to show his might. The win came after two Pakistan wrestlers lost to the Indians while the third dangal was halted first by light failure and later due to injury to the Indian wrestler. Aamer Yaqoob took Gurlal Singh to full length before going down on points.
Yaqoob fought bravely with Gurlal for 15 minutes duration to be declared even and the dangal was entered sudden death stage where Gurlal got a solid grip on Yaqoob to win the bout in the 20th minute.
The second wrestling bout was just an eye wash for all as all the fans present in the stands, which were nearly full were expecting Qasim Gujranwalia to win over Hardeep Kumar Singh but the result turned out to be otherwise. Qasim did not come up to the expectations and lost the fight in the 10th minute when Hardeep easily pulled him down to win the title.
As the third dangal of the evening began between Tari Pahlwan and Jagmoham Singh and entered into just five minutes, the floodlights went out due to fluctuation of electricity halting the wrestlers.
The light was restored after 20 minutes gap but was against stopped when the knee of Tari in an effort to show power got injured the neck of Jagmohan compelling the referees to stop the fight. But later the technical officials declared Tari winner of the bout for his better show of power.
Usman came in to bring win for Pakistan, the first of the day, over Asab of India and after that eyes were set on the main title but of Bashir and Naveen.
In the end, Naveen lifted the gurz (mace), which is considered a special honour for a pehlwan. The dangal was to be held at National Hockey Stadium but prompted intervention of the authorities saved the astro turf from being spoiled by the sand which the sports board officials and the organizers planned to lay there to hold the dangal.