KIKKAR SINGH PEHALWAN
Kikkar Singh (born Prem Singh) Pehalwan (13.1.1857 – 18.2.1914), son of Bhai Jawala Singh Sandhu, was born at village Ghanieke (district Lahore). When he grew up, he was seven more than two meter tall, strong and handsome young man. Bhai Jawala Singh, himself, was also a wrestler. He trained Kikkar Singh as a wrestler. Kikkar Singh was trained by Ghulam, a resident of village Nurpur. Later, he became a student of Wasawa Singh Pehalwan. Finally he joined the Akhara (wrestling group) of Buta Pehlwan (who was the champion of India). By this time Kikkar Singh had played several wrestling matches. He was one of the famous wrestlers of the Indian sub-continent. Kikkar Singh fought many matches in his life. He won all the bouts easily. In 1911, when he was 54 years old and was a patient of asthama, Kallu Pehalwan, a young wrestler challenged him. He was a stubborn man. In spite of his age and health, he accepted the challenge. A wrestling match was played at Delhi. The old wrestler gave a grand fight to the young Kallu. The bout was almost undecided but the judge declared Kallu as the winner. Kikkar Singh died at Ghanieke in 1914.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)