16 Facts About Chandgi Ram

Chandgi Ram Kaliraman, often referred to as Master Chandgi Ram, was a freestyle wrestler from India.

Chandgi Ram won gold medal in the 1970 Asian Games and represented India in the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Chandgi Ram is remembered for the work that he has done for the introduction, acceptance and popularisation of the women's wrestling in India.

Chandgi Ram Kaliraman was born on 9 November 1937 in Sisai village of British India's Hisar, which is located in the present-day Hisar district of Haryana, India.

Chandgi Ram took up wrestling at a comparatively older age of 21 and became national champion three years later in 1961.

Chandgi Ram married three times and had three daughters and three sons.

Ram, who was popularly known as Master Chandgi Ram, served in Indian army's Jat Regiment, along with working as a teacher in his early life.

Chandgi Ram became national champion for the first time in 1961 at Ajmer, regaining his title two years later at Jalandhar.

Chandgi Ram reached to the final defeating en route the world championships medallist Abolfazl Anvari of Iran.

Chandgi Ram lost his first bout to Canada's George Saunders.

Chandgi Ram was eliminated after losing his next bout to the eventual silver medallist Gennady Strakhov.

Chandgi Ram's wrestling training center, which is commonly known as the Chandgi Ram Akhara, became India's first training center for women's wrestling.

Chandgi Ram started to persuade coaches and wrestlers around the country to introduce women's exhibition matches in the traditional wrestling tournaments.

Jabbar, who got inclined toward women's wrestling during his training stint under Chandgi Ram, went on to train Alka Tomar.

Jagroop Rathi, Chandgi Ram's co-coach, was convinced by him to introduce his daughter Neha Rathi into wrestling.

Chandgi Ram died on 29 June 2010 from a heart attack, aged 72.