Akram Pahalwan

Akram Pahalwan, also known as Iki Pehlwan was well-known Pakistani wrestler and a part of the Bholu Brothers professional wrestling group during the 1950’s and 60’s. He did extremely well in traditional Indian wrestling, Freestyle wrestling and boxing type wrestling. He fought most of his wrestling matches with foreign wrestlers in distant countries and also within Pakistan.

Profile

• Height: 5’.10’’ approx,
• Weight: 260 pounds approx
• Birthday: 1930 [1]
• Place of Birth: Amritsar, Punjab, India,
• Hometown: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan,
• Trained by: the Great Gama
• Debut: Idi Amin, 1953, Kampala, Uganda.
• Last Match: Antonio Inoki, 12 December 1976, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Previous identities: Aki, The Lion,
• Finishing and signature move(s):
• Notable feuds: Haji Muhammad Afzal 1963, George Gordienko 1967, Antonio Inoki 1976.

= Career =

Akram was initially trained in Lahore as a student of the legendary Gama Pahalwan of India. He was the 5th son of Imam Baksh Pahalwan. Akram started his wrestling career in 1953 as he toured the East African countries. East African public named him “The Lion” when he wrestles with the Ugandan wrestlers including the Ugandan Giant Idi Amin in Kampala. He also defeated the heavyweights of Kenya during the same year. Akram defeated the leading wrestler Mahindar Singh in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, after an interesting feud. Coincidentally, Mahindar Singh’s elder brother was the referee of that particular match between Akram Pahalwan and Mahindar Singh. Akram pins Mahindar thrice but the referee refused to accept the defeat of his younger brother. Consequently Akram got furious and overpowered Mahindar for the fourth time through a submission hold that enforced Mahindar to accept defeat and signal his brother referee to stop the match. Akram has many other victories on his record beside this one. His Lahore based opponents include Imam Baksh Ferozwala. Jero Pahalwan, Sheeda Gujanwalia, Goma, Hamida Ghaia Wala, Suleman and Sheeda Popat. He defeated Siddique son of Goonga Pahalwan in Sialkot, Bakhshu Pahalwan in Jampur, Mushtaq Pahalwan in Multan, Nazu Pahalwan in Bahawalpur, Gurda Pahalwan in Multan. The tremendous Bhola Gadi in Lahore. Rustam-e-Multan, Zamman Khan in Karachi. And one of the leading wrestlers known as Haji Muhammad Afzal in Lahore in a great encounter. The former Governor of Pakistan, Malik Amir Muhammad Khan was the Chief Guest of this event. The deputy superintendent Ghulam Hussain Butt was the referee.

File:Aslam bholu.jpg

Akram Pahalwan (left) with his brother Bholu Pahalwan during late 1960s. This photographa is from the film Rustom-e-Hind.

In 1958, Akram was proclaimed the Champion of Malaya in Singapore when he defeated the wrestler Hari Ram. He received an expensive car as a reward for his achievements.

In 1965 Akram defeated the famed Indian wrestler Hardam Singh at the National Stadium (Karachi) in 3rd round. Akram's previous record shows that he participated in around 280 major wrestling events during the 50's. Some of which remained alive in the memories of people who watched him wrestle for a long time.

Beside that he also defeated Emil Koroshenko, Baron Von Heczey, Bloorma, King Kong (Emile Czaja) and others. While during the 60’s Akram Pahalwan also remained a part of the Bholu Brothers wrestling team. Some of the opponents of Akram during the 60's include Tony Kontellis, Con Papalazarou, Shaikh Wadi Ayoub, Bert Assirati etc. The Pakistani sporting arenas were regularly packed with up to 60,000 fans. He competed in freestyle wrestling during the 1960's. In 1967 he toured UK. The Bholu Brothers were rated 10th in the 1968 Tag Team world ratings.

In 1968 in America he loses a match against the Honolulu champion, Antal Haiti. He also injured his left arm in a match with Big Bill Verna. In 1976, when the Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki fought with the boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a mixed martial-art match to a draw, the Bholu brothers, who claimed to be the world champions, slated Akram to fight Inoki. However on the day of this majestic match, Akram Pahalwan lost the match to Inoki. Inoki put a chicken wing armlock on Akram and Akram's left arm literally broke under the submission hold. Akram's status fell in his country. The loss against Antonio Inoki, bought an end to his fabulous career and his image as a Lion.. Akram died on 12th April 1987.