Pakistan's prominent wrestler, Inam Butt to feature in Beach Wrestling World Series 2019
Premier wrestler of Pakistan Muhammad Inam Butt is all set to represent Pakistan in the upcoming 2019 Beach Wrestling World Series which are slated to be held from 10 to 11 May in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Even struggling to find finances to even participate in Rio de Janeiro Beach Wrestling World Series 2019, Pakistan’s top athlete, Muhammad Inam Butt left for the event with hopes and a lot of confidence in his tally to leave his mark in this mega international event as well. No Pakistani wrestler has ever participated in the World Beach Games except Inam where he not only participated but also came home with gold medals, twice, for his country.
Inam has already faced the trauma of not being able to take part in the Asian Wrestling Championships in China last month, but he was adamant that he needs to go for Brazil as the event will earn him points for the qualification of the World Beach Games.
Pride of Performance winning wrestler Inam struggling for funds, again as he needed Rupees 700,000 to go to this event and even not had any national camps from the Pakistan Sports Board for which the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist competed at the Pakistan dangal earlier this year just to stay in form. He is not having any support from the government to train him abroad and he had to make arrangements in a short time.
“I’m going and it hasn’t been easy to get the funds together. I arranged it with the help of people, my coach, Muhammad Riaz is also coming with me, and I’m finally getting this chance. It has not been easy, but Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) tried to help, the Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti promised some money to me, which I’m hoping they would give later on. I’m just leaving with a dream here.”
The 30 year old wrestler said that he had been training at his own akhara in Gujranwala continuously, and he had trained for the Asian Championship as well, but he is now setting his sights on the title in Brazil. His biggest challenge has been to reduce his weight for the 90 KG event.
“I’ve been in training constantly. The events are there, but I have to make sure I’m ready for anything. I have to reduce 10 KG of my weight for Brazil in just 25 days, so it was a challenge for me that I’m happy I achieved. My goal is to win in my category; it is going to be a tough event.
Inam had set his eyes on making a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but due to lack of state support his goal seems to have been dented.
The state has not been able to release funds to the federations for the last eight months.
The event in Brazil and other two World Series events to be held in Ukraine in August and Croatia in September will be of great value for Inam to participate in as these events serve as qualifiers for the World Beach Games which will be held in San Diego, USA, from October 10-15. The top eight grapplers in one weight category will make it to the World Beach Games. Inam will feature in 90 KG competitions.
Despite winning back-to-back world beach titles, Inam does not take the qualifiers easy.
“I cannot take it for granted. The World Series is a big event as the world’s leading grapplers will be showcasing their potential. And I will have to beat wrestlers from the best nations in the sport. It is not only how you fight against a major player but also how you cope with the pressure of the environment you play in. I have to raise my flag, and I’m going to give my all in this event as well. I just need my fellow Pakistanis to support me.” Inam concluded.
