Majeed targets Indian wrestler

Aims to be the best in the subcontinent by beating Singh.

LAHORE:

Newly-crowned Rustame Pakistan Usman Majeed, also known as Billu, has now set his sights on overpowering his Indian counterpart Naveen Kumar Singh to bring back the Rustame Pak-o-Hind back to Pakistan.

Singh defeated former Rustame Pakistan Bashir Bhola Bhala to claim the title in 2008. Bashir’s loss surprised many after the wrestler held the Pakistan title for more than a decade. In the recently-concluded Rustame Pakistan dangal, Bashir was expelled from the semi-final against Majeed following doping offences.

“He is like an older brother to me,” Majeed told The Express Tribune. “I got an opportunity to play in the final so that I can have a shot at winning the title. Now my next target is to knock down Singh.”

Majeed said he wanted to avenge Bashir’s defeat at the hands of the Indian wrestler and to win back the Rustame Pak-o-Hind title.

“I want to be the best wrestler in the subcontinent and defeat Singh who beat my brother and countryman.”

Majeed, who belongs to Sheikhupura and is based in Lahore, won the Rustame Pakistan after beating Multan’s Hamid Khan following a stiff fight that sparked controversy with the runner-up blaming biased umpiring for his loss. Sharing a teacher with Bashir, Majeed overcame Khan after the scores were locked 1-1 at full-time. With both not letting go off a single point, Majeed improvised to score the winner in extra-time to clinch the fight that lasted for almost an hour. The Wapda wrestler, who won his maiden title, was delighted at his success. “I owe it to Bashir and I can only repay him when I defeat Singh,” said Majeed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2011.