Hamida Banu: India’s First Female Wrestler
Hamida Banu was India’s first female wrestler, born in the 1900s in a family of wrestlers in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Known as the “Amazon of Aligarh,” she had a passion for wrestling from a young age and honed her skills in the art of wrestling as she grew up. During her career in the 1940s and 1950s, she competed in over 300 competitions, defeating not only women but also male wrestlers.
Hamida Banu: The Amazon of Aligarh
- Real Name: Hamida Banu
- Also Called: Amazon of Aligarh
- Nationality: Indian
- Birth Place: Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Birth Year: 1920
- Date of Death: November 9, 2006
- Profession: Wrestler
- Sport: Athletics
Dietary Habits of Hamida Banu
According to reports, Hamida Banu had a rigorous diet plan that few could follow. She weighed around 108 kilograms and stood at 5 feet 3 inches tall. Her daily diet included 6 liters of milk, 1.5 liters of fruit juice, 1 kilogram of mutton, 450 grams of butter, 6 eggs, nearly a kilogram of almonds, 2 large rotis, and 2 plates of biryani. She slept for 9 hours and exercised for 6 hours every day.
Challenging Lahore’s Wrestler
Hamida was so formidable that a famous wrestler from Lahore refused to face her in a match. However, at the last moment, he declined to wrestle with her, saying he wouldn’t fight a woman. Despite this, Hamida claimed to have won 320 wrestling matches by 1954.
Victory against a Russian Wrestler
In 1954, Hamida Banu faced Vera Chistilin, a Russian wrestler, in Mumbai. In this match, Hamida defeated the Russian wrestler quickly, establishing her dominance in the sport. Later that year, she announced that she would compete in wrestling matches outside India, even in Europe.
Unique Condition for Marriage
Hamida Banu set a unique condition for her marriage. She challenged anyone to wrestle her, and if she lost, she would marry that person. Her first wrestling match with a male wrestler was against Firoz Khan in Lahore in 1937.
Today, Google commemorates India’s first female wrestler, Hamida Banu, with a doodle. It was on this day in 1954 during a wrestling match that she gained international recognition by defeating the famous wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just 1 minute and 34 seconds.
Dietary Habits of Hamida Banu
According to reports, Hamida Banu had a rigorous diet plan that few could follow. She weighed around 108 kilograms and stood at 5 feet 3 inches tall. Her daily diet included 6 liters of milk, 1.5 liters of fruit juice, 1 kilogram of mutton, 450 grams of butter, 6 eggs, nearly a kilogram of almonds, 2 large rotis, and 2 plates of biryani. She slept for 9 hours and exercised for 6 hours every day.
Challenging Lahore’s Wrestler
Hamida was so formidable that a famous wrestler from Lahore refused to face her in a match. However, at the last moment, he declined to wrestle with her, saying he wouldn’t fight a woman. Despite this, Hamida claimed to have won 320 wrestling matches by 1954.
Victory against a Russian Wrestler
In 1954, Hamida Banu faced Vera Chistilin, a Russian wrestler, in Mumbai. In this match, Hamida defeated the Russian wrestler quickly, establishing her dominance in the sport. Later that year, she announced that she would compete in wrestling matches outside India, even in Europe.
Unique Condition for Marriage
Hamida Banu set a unique condition for her marriage. She challenged anyone to wrestle her, and if she lost, she would marry that person. Her first wrestling match with a male wrestler was against Firoz Khan in Lahore in 1937.
Today, Google commemorates India’s first female wrestler, Hamida Banu, with a doodle. It was on this day in 1954 during a wrestling match that she gained international recognition by defeating the famous wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just 1 minute and 34 seconds.
FAQs
Q1: What were Hamida Banu’s notable achievements?
A1: Hamida Banu clinched a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1982 Asian Games, showcasing her exceptional athletic prowess.
Q2: What challenges did Hamida Banu face in her life?
A2: Despite her talent and determination, Banu faced societal norms discouraging women’s participation in athletics. Additionally, her marital life was marred by violence and opposition to her ambitions.
Q3: What is Hamida Banu’s legacy?
A3: Hamida Banu’s legacy transcends her athletic achievements. She is remembered as a symbol of resilience and determination, inspiring individuals worldwide to pursue their dreams against all odds.