6 best Indian wrestlers of all time

#1 The Great Gama

The Great Gama

Great Gama or “Gama Pahalwan” is widely regarded as the greatest Pehlwani wrestler in the history of the sport. He was just 5’ 7” tall and used his strength to good effect to beat his opposition.

He challenged the 6’9” Indian wrestling champion Raheem Baksh Sultani Wala, who had a superb record. Gama was considered to have no chance before the match began. The pundits were shocked to see that the match ended in a draw after several hours of fight.

Gama then went to England with his brother and issued challenges to wrestlers of any weight class that he would beat them. Gama’s challenge was accepted by Stanislaus Zbyszko on 10 September 1910 and their first match was a draw as Zbyszko employed defensive tactics for the most part of the 2 hours, 35 minutes match.

A rematch was announced to take place the next week and Zbyszko failed to turn up. Gama was thus declared the winner. He was awarded the Indian version of the World Heavyweight Championship on 15 October 1910.

Gama was undefeated throughout his professional career which lasted 50 years.