Irecently got a chance to cover the Rustam-e-Pakistan title fight between the eventual winner Zaman Anwar, commonly known as Jani, and Mohammad Asif Mochi at the Punjab Stadium.

The venue was jam-packed and the fans witnessed the pulsating finale with great patience. It was an absorbing battle and it seemed from the first whistle that it would go to the wire.

Fans’ excitement was fascinating. The venue’s main galleries were filled well before the decider of the country’s major desi wrestling event.

Before the fight the people’s prediction was that there was a 70 percent chance that Asif, a pure mud-wrestler from Bahawalpur, would win the battle. But eventually it did not happen.

Zaman, who is a freestyle wrestler from Gujranwala, had thought that he would easily win the fight. Before entering the arena, Zaman was seen taking advice from the world beach wrestling king Mohammad Inam and I think his tips worked in the end.

After 20 minutes of a tough fight in which Asif, who was lying down, did not give any room to his experienced rival. Then a toss was made and Zaman won it and was given a chance of five minutes. But that time-frame was also exhausted without yielding any result.

Then Asif was given a chance and he took an upper posture but again no result was produced. Then both fighters were given the last chance as there the battle had to be decided on points as per rules of freestyle wrestling. And there Zaman, also the last year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medallist, managed a super trick to win the title.

Zaman punched the air soon after being confirmed as the new Rustam-e-Pakistan. As soon as he won the title people rushed into the arena and lifted Zaman on their shoulders and took him around with the country’s superman looking extremely happy with his stupendous achievement.

Before the final a former wrestler told me if Asif did not win the fight in the first ten minutes then he would not be able to beat Zaman as the latter has greater stamina and is a solid fighter who plays with patience.

Zaman was handed over the title and Rs1 million with the runner-up Asif getting richer by Rs500,000.

The third place winner Shehzad Puchar claimed Rs300,000.

Zaman left for his hometown Gujranwala after being crowned champion and reached around 1:30am. He was received by a huge crowd to take him home. He is definitely the pride of Gujranwala which has produced some amazing wrestlers, including Mohammad Inam who is the most popular both in the mud and mat wrestling, having won loads of international medals in both genres of wrestling.

In an interview with ‘The News on Sunday’ (TNS) Zaman said that he had his eyes on becoming the Rustam-e-Pakistan for a long time. “It was my dream to become Rustam-e-Pakistan and eventually I achieved that milestone,” Zaman told TNS.

“I worked hard for this title. I worked hard throughout Ramadan in the night as I used to fast in the day. And finally Allah has gifted me the crown which I aimed to win,” Zaman said.

“It’s the desire of every wrestler to do something stunning and it was one of those targets which I achieved and am very much thankful to God for the success,” Zaman said.

“It was not easy going. Initially I thought I would beat Asif easily but it turned out otherwise as Asif proved himself to be a fine wrestler and foiled every trick,” Zaman said.

“In the last session he also gave me a tough time. He tried to rise but I put him down and beat him with a trick and am so happy,” he said.

“It’s not the end. I will work harder and win more titles not only in desi wrestling but also mat wrestling. My target is now to do something stunning in the mat wrestling as Asian Games are also around the corner and there are also 2024 Olympics Qualifiers where Pakistan can do wonders if some foreign training is provided to the top wrestlers” Zaman said.

He was not happy with the response of the sponsors following his huge win.

“You know I got such a huge title but I did not get any response from the corporate sector. If wrestlers are not supported despite such a huge showing then how they will progress,” Zaman said.

Zaman said that Pakistan is brimming with wrestling talent but there is a need to support the wrestlers who have the ability to win medals at the highest level.

“I personally would like to serve Pakistan as long as possible. In 2021 I got bronze in the world beach wrestling series in Greece which was my debut event and I aim to secure the world beach wrestling title one day,” Zaman said.

After talking to so many former wrestlers I came to the conclusion that it’s very difficult for a wrestler to stick to this profession.

A wrestler’s daily diet expenses shot up to Rs5000 in this period of inflation. How can a grappler who receives a meagre salary from his department train professionally! It’s extremely difficult.

Before the final small wrestlers were also seen and it gave the courage to the nation that despite financial issues a wrestling generation is preparing which will take the field after a decade or so and replace the current heroes.

Despite issues wrestling will continue to keep alive.

Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Director General Dr Asif Tufail told reporters before the Rustam-e-Pakistan final that the Punjab government has included traditional sports in its development programme.

He said that every effort would be made to make this event more productive. “We will add to its strength,” he said.

Sports provide hope to the nation, keep it united and wrestling is one of those major disciplines which is doing that job perfectly. Let’s back this sport and hats off to the organisers who have done a marvellous job to back this sport which is so crowd-pulling.

73.alam@gmail.com