The Legendary Gama Pehalwan: A Wrestling Icon

A Wrestling Legend in India

India boasts numerous wrestlers, but one stands out as a true icon, revered by many as a mentor. This wrestler, known for his unmatched prowess, never faced defeat in his career. His fame transcended borders, even captivating the legendary Bruce Lee from China. We are referring to the remarkable Gama Pehalwan, also celebrated as The Great Gama and Rustam-e-Hind.

Celebrating Gama Pehalwan's Legacy

On May 22, Gama Pehalwan's 144th birthday was commemorated, with Google honoring him through a special doodle. Born in Amritsar on May 22, 1878, Gama later moved to Lahore with his family during the India-Pakistan partition.

Beginning Wrestling at a Young Age

Gama embarked on his wrestling journey at the tender age of 10, a passion that ran in his blood. His father, Muhammad Aziz Bakhsh, was also a wrestler who began training Gama early on. He honed his skills under the guidance of the renowned wrestler Madhos Singh and further refined his techniques while training under Maharaja Bhawani Singh of Datiya.

An Unmatched Career

Gama Pehalwan's illustrious career spanned nearly 52 years, during which he triumphed over numerous opponents without a single loss. His rigorous training regimen included performing 5,000 sit-ups and 1,000 push-ups daily. To fuel his intense workouts, his diet was equally impressive, consisting of six native chickens, 10 liters of milk, half a kilogram of ghee, almond sherbet, and 100 rotis each day.

International Fame and Influence

Gama was known to lift stone dumbbells as part of his training routine. Bruce Lee, the famous martial artist from China, was an admirer of Gama and drew inspiration from him to build his own formidable physique. Lee would read articles about Gama's workouts and practice them, including the exercises of push-ups and squats.

Historic Matches and Challenges

Gama faced numerous wrestlers from both India and abroad, defeating them all. In 1910, he traveled to London with his wrestling brother Imam Bakhsh for an international championship but declined to participate. Instead, he issued open challenges to renowned wrestlers in London, which American champion Benjamin Roller accepted. Gama defeated him in just 1 minute and 40 seconds.

One of Gama's most memorable matches occurred in 1895 against the formidable Rustam-e-Hind, Rahim Bakhsh Sultaniwala, who stood at 6 feet 9 inches tall. Despite being only 5 feet 7 inches, Gama put up a fierce fight, resulting in a draw. This match significantly boosted his fame worldwide. Gama Pehalwan passed away in 1963 after a prolonged illness.