Manzoor Hussain, known as Bholu Pahalwan, was a Pakistani wrestler and held the world heavyweight title.
20 Facts About Bholu Pahalwan
1.
2.
Bholu started his wrestling career in Radhanpur under the guidance of Hamida Pahalwan Rehmaniwala, real name Abdul Hamid Al Maroof Rehmani, who was an official wrestler of that state.
3.
In 1935, at age 13, Bholu Pahalwan made his first appearance in a wrestling contest at Lahore.
4.
Bholu Pahalwan competed with Ahmad Baksh to a draw for a duration of twelve minutes.
5.
On 27 March 1939, Bholu Pahalwan wrestled Ahmad Baksh for the second time in Lahore.
6.
From 1935 till 1940, Bholu succeeded against some of the most competent Indian Pahalwans like Mangal Singh, Kharak Singh, Bora Singh, Bulhar Pahalwan and Aleem Pahalwan of Baroda.
7.
Bholu Pahalwan defeated a number of wrestlers, including a local champion, Ghousia Pahalwan, twice in Lahore and for the third time in Bahawalnagar.
8.
In 1944, Bholu Pahalwan defeated Puran Singh Amritsari in Ajain in a recorded time of 6 minutes.
9.
In 1945, Bholu Pahalwan beat a Sikh wrestler known as Darbar Singh in Kasur in the shortest duration of one minute.
10.
Bholu Pahalwan was declared the first legitimate Wrestling Champion of Pakistan.
11.
Bholu Pahalwan competed with foreign wrestlers who were active in India during the early 1950s.
12.
In Jalandhar and Bombay, Bholu Pahalwan dominated some of the finest men in wrestling Including Emil Koroshenko, George Pencheff, Goldstein, George Zbisko, Zybisko-2 and Harbans Singh.
13.
Bholu Pahalwan had two main akharas, or wrestling dojos, within the country.
14.
In 1948, Bholu Pahalwan formed another akhara known as Dar-ul-Sehat at Pakistan Chowk in Karachi.
15.
The Dar-ul-Sehat, known as Bholu Pahalwan-ka-Akhara, trained in Pakistani-style wrestling under the supervision of professional wrestlers.
16.
Bholu Pahalwan personally trained the members that included 60 to 70 wrestlers.
17.
Bholu Pahalwan received the 1962 Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan.
18.
Bholu Pahalwan was granted 20 kanals of land by President Ayub Khan in honour of services rendered to the sport of wrestling in Pakistan.
19.
In 1967, Bholu Pahalwan offered a sum of 5000 British pounds through promoter Orig Williams of the United Kingdom to anyone who could beat him.
20.
In May 1967, Bholu Pahalwan competed in a world championship event sponsored by Eastern Promotions Limited in UK and defeated the Anglo-French heavyweight champion, Henry Perry, for the World Heavyweight Title in Empire Pool, Wembley Stadium, London, England.