Hard task-master churned out Padmashrees

As the mortal remains were taken to the famous akhara, the Guru Hanuman Vyayamshala, the wrestling world took a trip down memory lane.

They talked about a thin and pale Vijay Pal, who had been bullied by stronger boys in his native Chirawa Village in Rajasthan. That was when he decided to take up wrestling. No one knows what happened to the bullies, but the rest is wrestling history.

At 20, Vijay Pal shifted to Delhi to hone his skills and get on with his career in what was to become the great passion of his life.

He had no formal training that could prepare him for national and international bouts. But fame came to him early and he was even given land by industrialist K.K. Birla. An ardent follower of Hanuman, Pal chose to be identified by this name. He also chose not to marry.

8220;I am married to wrestling,8221; he had often said. 8220;I am so involved with wrestling that I feel marriage will be a hindrance,8221; he once said. He also made the front pages recently, when he said he would marry at 100. 8220;Sau saal hone par mein tum logon ki Paris wali dadi se shadi karoonga. Mein doli mein baithoonga aur woh ghodi par ayegi When I turn 100, I will marry your Paris grandmother. I will sit in a doli while she will come on a horse.8221; His reference was to the oldest woman in the world from France, who also died recently. The day after he made the statement, he was criticised, but the truth was that he was tired of answering queries on the issue.

Another story that went around in wrestling circles, was the one he used to tell his disciples and friends. Guru Hanuman was a strict disciplinarian and children came to him to train at an early age. The Guru stressed on starting really early. And when he said early, he meant 3 a.m. Those who woke up late were caned.

One day, his students gave him a tablet saying it was a new medicine to give him back his youth and strength. The not-disbelieving Guru popped the pills, only to discover later that they were sleeping pills. And as he slept, his shishyas went for a movie near the akhara. When he woke up and discovered the prank, the story goes, he rushed to the theatre, got the film stopped and dragged his students out.

A hard task-master, Guru was one of India8217;s most successful coaches. He has churned out eight Arjuna awardees and two Padmashrees. Most of his students are well-placed in government offices, with the majority being in the police forces.

Guru Hanuman was also known for his big heart. He has donated one of his kidneys. And recently, he went on a hunger strike to help out a wrestler, who had been denied the prestigious Arjuna award. And last year, the wrestler, Sanjay was given the award.