Goga Pahalwan

The bold and brave Goga Pahalwan was an Asian wrestler, born 1938, in the city of Amritsar in a household brimming with wrestling victories. He remained under the pupilage of Great Gama of India for15 years. He displayed a blazing fighting style, with speedy reflexes seldom giving his opponents a chance to return. Favorite maneuvers were back flying kick, body slam and leg breaker etc.

Goga was a part of the Bholu Brothers group of professional wrestling comprising of Bholu Azam Aslam and Akram. During the 50’s era, he got a chance to tackle the local champions such as Haji Afzal, Siddique son of Goonga Pahalwan and Rashid Manila Champion in Lahore. Nevertheless, these heavyweight grapplers were of Goga’s size or built. His ultimate aim was to defeat wrestlers larger then him in size. During the 50’s era Goga also competed in different freestyle wrestling events. He competed against some prominent wrestlers such as Kid Zimbo, Wanik Buckley, Boonta Singh, Siddique Nukehwala, Harbans Singh, Sohni, Jogindar Singh, Garnam Singh, Tarlok Singh etc.

In 1961, Goga toured India with Bholu Brothers to wrestle in some Major Indian cities. After arrival in Kolhapur the Bholu Brothers issued challenge to the Indian Wrestlers. Gunpat Andarakar aka “Hind. Kesri’’, the reigning Indian Champion accepted their challenge and demanded a match with Aslam Pahalwan who was comparatively bigger and stronger then the other Bholu Brothers. However, Goga, who was looking for an opportunity to fight a larger wrestler stepped forward and insisted on fighting the Gigantic Andarakar in place of his elder brother Aslam. The members of the Bholu’s management tried to stop Goga from fighting because the Indian Giant had already defeated some of the big names in Indian wrestling. Therefore, this matter was bought before the Bholu Pahalwan for final opinion. Bholu favored his younger brother’s decision, keeping in view his ambition of defeating a bigger wrestler then himself.

The 1961, Goga Pahalwan versus Gunpat Andarakar wrestling match took place in Kolhapur. This was a no time limit, no draw, must win type of match that was to continue until one wrestler loses or submits. This was one of the most difficult feuds of Goga’s wrestling career because the opponent was much larger and stronger then him. The highly physical match commenced between these headstrong grapplers. Ganpat Andarakar tried his best to overpower Goga by his size and strength but Goga managed to survive. After 55 minutes of continuous wrestling the highly confident Goga wins the match. Goga received a prize of Rupees ten thousand and a heavy traditional Indian wrestling trophy known as Gurz as a reward for his victory over Gunpat Andarakar. The members of the Bholu’s management to celebrate the victory performed the traditional ritual of Dastar Bandi.

Goga started his wrestling career back in 1948 during a major wrestling tournament held in Multan where the former Indian Champion Hamida Pahalwan was scheduled to fight Qadir Baksh in the main event of the day. While the grand wrestler, Imam Baksh and Great Gama watched the tournament proceed. Customarily in India and Pakistan every main wrestling event is preceded by minor wrestling feuds between the less experienced junior wrestlers. A 17-year-old wrestler boy of another wrestling club entered the mud wrestling arena and waited for an opponent from the other side to come. Imam Baksh directed his ten-year-old son Goga to go into the arena and fight this 17-year-old wrestler who looked like a giant compared to the Goga. Goga was too small to tackle this big wrestler and consequently lost the match and became upset. On public questioning about why did Imam Baksh made his little son Goga fight a bigger wrestler much older then him. Imam Baksh replied that one must experience the agony of defeat before he could actually become a true winner in life. One should know the difference between defeat and victory and should know how to tackle them. Consequently, Goga was very disappointed on losing a wrestling match in a family where defeat was not expected. Therefore, Goga always wanted to beat wrestlers greater then him in size.

Goga was the youngest among his Bholu brothers who remained a professional wrestler during the later years and seldom lost a match. In Tag team wrestling he teamed with Akram. Goga is the younger Brothers of Bholu Pahalwan who is better remembered because he continued wrestling during the later years. Bholu only acted as a backup for his brothers. Goga is remembered for defeating Haruka Eigen of Japan in 1976. Goga also had many bouts with other freestyle wrestlers including Klondyke bill of USA afterward. He is the only member of the Bholu Brothers wrestling team who never gave up active wrestling in his lifetime. He died in the ring. He was accidentally killed by a flying drop kick delivered by Nasir Bholu during an exhibition bout in Gujranwala.