Top Wrestlers of India of All Time

Wrestling is a combat sport that incorporates grappling techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins, and other grappling holds. Sport can be either genuinely competitive or merely entertaining. Wrestling, also known as 'Malla- Yuddha' in India, is one of the world's oldest sports. It was originally thought to be a physical exercise to keep fit, but it has gradually evolved over the years to earn a place in the world of sports.

Posted On June 22nd, 2021

Dara Singh

Dara Singh is a well-known politician and actor. To begin his career, he entered the wrestling ring. Dara Singh, who was trained by the legendary Harnam Singh, was a great wrestler who had won many prestigious titles such as the 'World Wrestling Championship' and the 'Commonwealth Championship.' In 1996, he was inducted into the Wrestling Observing Newsletter's Hall of Fame.

The Great Gama

The Great Gama's real name is Ghulam Muhammad. He is an Indian wrestler from the time when the British ruled the country. Ghulam Muhammad was dubbed "The Great Gama" because of his exceptional wrestling abilities. He held the unbeatable record for 52 years prior to India's independence.

Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav

KD Jadhav is the first individual Olympic medalist from independent India. In 1952, he won a wrestling medal at the Helsinki Olympics. When he won the medal, the celebrations at home were subdued, in contrast to the media frenzy surrounding Sushil Kumar and the new generation of Indian boxers. He had also competed in the 1948 Olympics, but he was unable to compete due to his lack of experience wrestling on the mat.

Jatindra Charan Goho

Jatindra Charan Guha, better known by his ring name Gobar Guha, was a world-renowned Indian wrestler and Pehlwani practitioner. In 1921, he became the first Asian to win the World Light Heavyweight Championship in the United States.

Udey Chand

Udey Chand, born on June 25, 1935, in Hisar, Haryana, was the first individual world championship medalist from independent India. In 1961, the Government of India bestowed upon him the prestigious Arjuna award in wrestling.

Bajrang Punia

Bajrang Punia is an Indian freestyle wrestler. He competes in the 65 kg weight class. He has three World Wrestling Championship medals. Bajrang won the bronze medal in the men's freestyle 60 kg category in Budapest, Hungary, after qualifying through the repechage round. There, he defeated Mongolian Enkhsaikhany Nyam-Ochir 9-2.

Sakshi Malik

Sakshi Malik is an Indian-born female wrestler. When she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she became the fourth female Olympic medalist. In fact, she was defeated in the quarterfinals by Valeria Kozlova. However, because Valeria advanced to the finals, Sakshi was given the opportunity to compete in the repechage round, where she defeated her opponent Purevdorjiin Orkhon.

Geeta Phogat

Geeta Phogat is an Indian freestyle wrestler who won the country's first gold medal in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in 2010. She is also the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Summer Olympics.

Yogeshwar Dutt

Yogeshwar Dutt, who had an incredible record in the Commonwealth Games, became the second wrestler to make India proud by winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He competes in the 60 kg weight class. He won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2012. Yogeshwar was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2013 for his achievements.