Billal still going strong

Wrestler Billal Hossain is now 40 and still competing in the National Wrestling Championships with the same inspiration he had some 14 years ago. The wrestler from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is still unparallel in his event as he won all gold medals in the last 10 championships since 2004. He is hoping to add another feather to his unbeaten crown from the ongoing 34th edition of the championships, which is being held at the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Stadium in Paltan. 

The man from Munsiganj had no affiliation with sports when he joined the then Bangladesh Rifles in 1997. He got inspired to take up wrestling after watching a practice session of his teammates in 1998 and it took him six years to turn into a wrestler before he got his break to represent his service team in 2004. Since then Billal has been as he has never lost any game to anyone in domestic competitions. He is expected to win gold medal in 97kg weight category this time too.

“I'm always been unbeaten whatever category I took part. I can't tell you why newcomers can't beat me but I'm still performing well in my respective category and keeping myself involved with training round the year as I don't need to perform any office duty,” Bilal said before getting on the ring for his first match against Mohammad Riaz Uddin of Bangladesh Police yesterday.    

The veteran has won back to back bronze medals in the last three editions of the South Asian Games over the last 12 years. He also won silver medals in the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships in Guangzhou and the 2012 Quaid-e-Azam Wrestling Championships in Pakistan. The successful wrestler, however, has regrets regarding not getting proper training before international tournaments.

“I lost to opponents from Pakistan, Indian and Afghanistan in all three semifinal events of SA Games. I lost due to lack of preparation rather than any technical deficiency,” said Billal, asking back as to why Bangladeshi wrestlers would not win gold medals if those from Pakistan and India can.

“Once we used to lag behind India and Pakistan, but now are even behind Sri Lanka due to lack of proper planning and facilities. The wrestlers don't even get government's full allotment for food during training camp,” Billal said, adding that he would not join the national camp if he is called up for the next SA Games in Nepal this year.