Honoring Aslam Pahalwan: A Titan of Pakistani Wrestling
Aslam Pahalwan, born on January 14, 1927, in India, is a world-renowned figure in wrestling history. Trained under extreme conditions by Indian superman wrestler Hamida Pahalwan, Aslam, also known as Acha, was the adopted son and actual nephew of ‘The Great Gama.’
Under the guidance of ‘The Great Gama,’ Aslam quickly rose to prominence. He made headlines by defeating Bala Pahalwan from Amritsar, India, in less than 100 seconds. After the partition, Aslam became the backbone of Pakistani wrestling.
In 1951, Aslam earned the title of ‘Rustam-e-Punjab’ by defeating Younus Pahalwan. His success continued as he triumphed at the Commonwealth Championships in 1953. Aslam’s illustrious career saw him defeat notable wrestlers such as Bert Assirati (ENG), George Gordienko (CAN), Roy Heffernan (AUS), and Emile Czaja ‘King Kong.’
Known for his participation in shoot bouts, Aslam held a license in freestyle wrestling and Indian martial arts. He mastered earthen pit wrestling and catch wrestling, earning ring names like ‘The Wrestling King’ and ‘Rustam-e-Jahan.’ Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing over 300 lbs, he was a fearsome and powerful competitor.
Aslam retired from wrestling in the early 70s and passed away at the age of sixty-two on January 7, 1989. His legacy continues to inspire and honor the rich history of Pakistani wrestling.