CHANDIGARH: Kartar Singh of Punjab ‘for years the national heavyweight champion, is among the three wrestlers chosen by the AllIndia Police Sports Control Board to represent the country at the World Police Games 10 be held in Vancouver in Canada from July 27 to August 12.
Wrestling has been introduced at the Games for the first time. While Kartar will participate in the 100 kg event, Rajesh Kumar (BSF) and Ashok Kumar (CISF) will grapple in the 48 kg and 57 kg categories. There are 14 other sportspersons, going to Vancouver. A Promoted to the rank of Depuyp8tiperintendent of Police after his gold medal winning performance at the Seoul Asiad in 1986, Kartar has a host of medals to his credit that would make any wrestler envious. He was a gold medalist at the Bangkok Asiad in 1978 and a silver medalist at the Dethi Asiad in 1982. He has won gold in the Commonwealth Games and QaideAzam Wrestling in Karachi. He holds the title of Bharat Mall Samrat and Bombay Mahapur Kesari. He won the All India Motilal Nehru Trophy in 1983.
Kartar reached the peak of glory when he was conferred to the title of Padma Shri. in 1987 and later was given the Arjuna Award by the Central Government. The Punjab government had bestowed the Ranjit Singh Award on him as long as 1979.
Kartar was elected President of the Punjab Wrestling Association at a meeting at Jalandhar, Although the election has raked up a controversy, it is perhaps for the first time that a wrestling international has been chosen to head a State association.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1989
