Gama Pehalwan: Google Doodle pays tribute to greatest wrestler on his birthday

Google Doodle today (Sunday) celebrates the birth anniversary of Gama Pehalwan, one of the most renowned wrestlers of the sub-continent. An undefeated wrestling world champion.

Even Bruce Lee is a known admirer and incorporates aspects of Gama’s conditioning into his own training routine, Google said.

Born as Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt in 1878 in Amritsar, India, Gama hailed from a family of wrestlers. He was awarded the World Heavyweight title in 1910.

His workout routine included 500 lunges (bethaks) and 500 push-ups at the age of 10, Google said. In 1888, Gama won a lunge contest that saw the participation of over 400 wrestlers from across the subcontinent, earning him fame at a very young age.

One of the most significant feat achieved by Gama was in 1902 when he lifted a 1,200-kg stone. The stone is now kept at the Baroda Museum, a report suggests.

One of his most formidable rivals was Raheem Bakhsh Sultaniwala, the then-World Champion who stood nearly seven feet in front of a 5 feet 8 inches Gama. The two clashed four times, ending in a draw in the first three and Gama winning the last one.

The Prince of Wales, during his visit to India, presented Gama a silver mace to honour his strength.

After the division of the sub-continent, Gama migrated to Pakistan and spent the rest of his days until his death in 1960 in Lahore.

Continuing his legacy, Gama Pehlwan’s nephew Bholo Pehlwan held the tile of national wrestling champion of Pakistan for 20 years.