Meet Mahabali- first Indian to flex muscles alongside superstar Kurt Angle

Mumbai: Coming from Mana Singh Wala, Ferozepur District in Punjab, wrestler Mahabali Shera grew up amongst pehlwans who also played kabaddi. Pehlwani – a South Asian wrestling form – was the village favourite. But in the 1990s, the little boy was weaving international dreams following The Rock and The Undertaker on television. He grappled against his tradition and in 2014, he became the first Indian to be drafted in Total Non Stop Action (TNA) wrestling.

TNA Wrestling, the third largest wrestling promotion in the world, roped in Mahabali after extensive research in India. It was conducted by the superstar wrestler Kurt Angle, who is a part of the organisation. Mahabali’s association with wrestling started by participating in small-time bodybuilding competitions.

“From my village, I went to Chandigarh to do something on my own, impress my parents and villagers. I had a small family and bodybuilding was an expensive profession. But I did whatever little I could by competing in Mr. Chandigarh, Mr. Moga. The prize money wasn’t that handsome, it ranged between Rs.15,000- 20,000. The preparations needed to build your body itself shoots up the expenses to at least Rs. 30,000 per month,” said Mahabali, who came third in Mr. India at the same period.

The 24-year-old is thrilled that somebody like Kurt could come all the way to Punjab to select a wrestler.

“I could not even think he will do what he did. He told me he was glad to have me on board and told me I am promising and I will shine,” he said.

His family, owing to the conventional mindset, did not want Mahabali to dive into pre-determined professional wrestling.

“My mother cannot even watch when it is shown on television. She is very worried. She never wanted me to go. But I was a responsible kid from my childhood. Like others, I never repeated stunts when I saw the wrestlers going berserk in the ring. I knew my family could not have afforded for my medication. I will try to make India proud and that’s my only goal,” said Mahabali, whose food diet includes 20-40 egg whites every two hours along with chicken and milk.

It is usually said Indians are not as strong as American-bred wrestlers but Mahabali dismissed such a mindset stating the background doesn’t matter. “I have to prove that India also has wrestlers who are at par,” said the 24-year-old, who weights 110kgs.

As part of promoting the wrestler, he was also included in one of the episodes of popular television serial CID – a crime detective series.

“It was done to make me a household name as the serial is very popular. I’m playing a character where I am a wrestler. I go to my friend’s birthday party and then, there is a death,” he said.

Nonetheless, the lad is looking forward to the opportunity and make Kurt proud. How about a friendly wrestling match with the legend? “I wouldn’t mind, we’ll see if it happens. In the ring, it should not be a problem for he will be my opponent and I will have to fight,” said Mahabali.