Sangram Singh (born 21 July 1985) is an Indian wrestler, actor, motivational speaker and MMA Fighter.[2][3][4][5]
Born in Rohtak, Haryana, India's Sangram Singh is a beacon of hope and determination in the wrestling world. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age, Sangram defied all odds by overcoming his physical limitations through sheer grit and willpower. His journey from a wheelchair to the wrestling mat is truly inspirational.
Sangram Singh has achieved several milestones in his career, including winning multiple prestigious wrestling championships. He gained fame not only for his wrestling prowess but also for his appearances on reality TV shows, where he captured the hearts of many with his resilience and positive outlook on life.
Off the mat, Sangram is a motivational speaker, inspiring countless individuals with his story of triumph over adversity. His contributions to society go beyond wrestling, as he continues to encourage and uplift others through his words and actions.
Sangram Singh's legacy is a testament to the power of determination and the human spirit's ability to overcome any challenge.
Sangram was born in the village of Madina, located in Rohtak, Haryana. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was confined to a wheelchair for the first eight years of his life.[6] His father, Umed Singh, is a retired Army soldier, while his mother, Ramodevi, is a homemaker.[7]
The wrestling world is buzzing with excitement as Sangram Singh makes a stunning comeback after 6-7 years! Sangram Singh has shown that he is still a true champion by winning the 6-round Championship against the talented 17 years younger Pakistani wrestler, Mohammad Saeed . Despite being nearly 10 kilograms lighter than his opponent, Sangram Singh pulled off an incredible victory!
This wasn’t just any championship; it featured the top 10 International Wrestlers, making Sangram Singh's win even more impressive. The final match was intense, but Sangram Singh's determination and skill led him to victory.
Sangram Singh also set a new record, winning the championship in just 90 seconds through a submission "Knock Out". This showcases his unmatched talent and commitment to the sport.
India is proud of Sangram Singh, who has become the first Indian male wrestler to participate in the prestigious The GAMMA World Championships. His comeback is a testament to the fact that a champion’s spirit never fades.
Sangram Singh started his career as a sportsperson with the Delhi Police in 1999.[9] In All India Police Games 2005 he represented Delhi Police at Chawla (New Delhi) and won a bronze medal. He was awarded the title World's Best Professional Wrestler by World Wrestling Professionals (WWP), after a match in South Africa in 2012 for his style, stamina, and nature of wrestling.[10]
In July 2015, Sangram won the WWP Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship after defeating Joe E. Legend in the Last Man Standing fight in Port Elizabeth.[11] Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called Sangram Singh at the Parliament house to congratulate him for his victory.[12]
Sangram won the WWP Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship for the second time on 27 March 2016, by defeating South African wrestler Ananzi, keeping the belt in India. The match was held at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.[13]
Sangram Singh intends to return to professional wrestling after 6 years, in a Dubai pro international wrestling championship on 24 February 2024.[14][15]
Sangram has been involved in social service and conducts various motivational talks for corporate companies. He motivates youngsters at schools and colleges by sharing his life journey.[17][18] He was a motivational speaker for Indian wrestlers who were representing India in the Commonwealth Games.[19][6] Sangram has also been part of promotion to create awareness about voting in Haryana, his hometown.[20] Singh announced the launch of the Champions Pro Khusti league in December 2015 in Mumbai. Sangram played his first international match in India in Chandigarh on 6 February 2016, the proceeds of which were dedicated to the benefit of cancer patients.[21] Recently, Sangram Singh adopted 16 girls and 7 boys from his hometown Haryana and has sponsored their education. This is along with the adoption of a school in Satara, Maharashtra.[22][23] Sangram Singh Foundation organised the first wrestling awards to felicitate and honour the forgotten heroes from wrestling who had won individual medals for India over the years on 16 September 2017 in New Delhi.[24][non-primary source needed]
In 2018 Director Mahesh Bhatt presented his first music video with Sangram Singh.[25] Sangram shared his fitness mantra with actress Raveena Tandon on her television chat show Simply Baatein.[26] Sangram also featured in Hrithik Roshan and Discovery India's television show HRX Heroes depicting stories of real-life heroes. Sangram's journey from the wheelchair to being an international professional wrestler was portrayed in this show.[27] DD Sports telecasted a panel discussion series titled Rio to Tokyo: Vision 2020 to encourage participation of female athletes in various fields of sports. A special show as part of the series was hosted by Sangram Singh at Haryana's MD University Rohtak on 19 December 2016.[28] Sangram has walked the ramp for designers like Sanjana Jon, Nitya Bajaj Birla, Dhruv Vaish in the Fashion Design Council of India.[29]
Sangram launched his sportswear range SGXbySangramSingh in Delhi on 17 March 2016 at the Fashion Design Council of India. This launch was supported by celebrity designer Rohit Bal (the council's president), Sunil Sethi and Sangram's fiancée, actress Payal Rohatgi.[30]
Sangram received the Man of Substance award on India Men Show which took place on 18 April 2019, at the Metropolitan Hotel, New Delhi. He is also the world peace brand ambassador of Wockhardt Group. He received the title Indian Affairs Indian of the year 2014 in Sports Leadership at the 5th Annual Indian Affairs, founded by Satya Brahma, at India Leadership Conclave & Indian Affairs Business Leadership Awards 2014.[31] He gave a motivational talk to the students of IIT Delhi in February 2016 when he was invited to the institution as a guest of honour.[32] Recently, a chapter on Sangram's life journey has been included in Hindi textbooks for children studying in the 7th standard.[33] A scholarship in a university under Sangram Singh has been offered to students who come from modest families.[34] Sangram was also appointed the brand ambassador for Haryana Kabaddi League, that was organised in Haryana in June 2016.[35] Sangram was invited by the AYUSH ministry and the NDMC to Delhi as guest of honour to motivate youngsters on International Yoga Day 2016, by sharing his life story and talking about the benefits of yoga.[36]
Sangram Singh hails from Rohtak, Haryana. He has a brother and a sister. Born in the village of Madina, Sangram fought rheumatoid arthritis and got up from the wheelchair to become a wrestler representing India. He also had a brief stint in Delhi Police. Sangram and actress Payal Rohatgi got engaged on 27 February 2014 at a ceremony in Payal's hometown Ahmedabad.[37]
| Year | Title | Director | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Uvaa | [42] | ||
| Ek Tha Khashava | [43] | |||
| 2021 | God of Cricket | Sudesh Kanojia | [44] | |
| Udaan | [45] |
| Year | Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Survivor India | Contestant | Eliminated |
| 2013 | Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki | Winner | |
| 2013 | Bigg Boss 7 | Finalist | |
| 2014 | SuperCops vs Supervillains | Inspector Sangram | |
| 2015 | Nach Baliye 7 | Along with Payal Rohatgi | |
| 2022 | Lock Upp (season 1) | Guest | |
| Senior World Wrestling Championship | Host and Commentator | ||
| Be A Champion with Sangram Singh | Host and Narrator | ||
| Jeetunga Main | Host and Himself | ||
| Hausalon Ki Udaan | Host | ||
| 100% De Dana Dan | Himself | ||
| Sacch Ka Saamna | Himself | ||
| Big Toss | Himself | ||
| Badi Door Se Aaye Hai | Armaan Kumar | ||
| Tau aur Bhau | Host | ||
| Simply Baatien with Raveena | Himself | ||
| HRX heroes | Himself | ||
| IRT India | Himself | ||
| Rio to Tokyo: Vision 2020 | Host |
| Year | competition | Location | Category | Place/medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 49th Senior Men Greco Roman Style National Wrestling Championship | Ranchi | 120 kg | Second / Silver[46] |
| 2005 | World Senior Wrestling Championship | Budapest (Hungary) | 96 kg | Participated[47] |
| 2005 | All India Police Games, Represent Delhi Police | Chawla (New Delhi) | 96 kg | Bronze Medal[48] |
| 2006 | Johnie Reitz Big-5 Wrestling Competition (Open Championship) | Johannesburg (South Africa) | 96 kg | Gold medal[49][50] |
| 2007 | All India Open Wrestling Competition | Delhi | 110 kg | Gold / First[51] |
| 2015 | WWP Commonwealth Heavyweight Championships | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | last man standing | Winner[52] |
| 2016 | Champions ProKhusti | Mohali, Chandigarh, India | defeat Robbie E | Winner[53] |
| 2016 | WWP Commonwealth Heavyweight Championships | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | defeat Ananzi | Winner[13] |
| 2017 | KD Jadhav Memorial International Khusti Championships | Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi | defeat Kevin Radford Jr | Winner[54] |
| 2024 | Dubai Pro International wrestling championship organised by WPWH- World professional wrestling hub | Dubai Alhail | defeat Mohammad Saeed | Winner[55] |
| 2024 | Gama International Fighting Championship | Tbilisi, Georgia | defeat Mohammad Saeed | Winner[56] |
| Year | Award | Award by | About the award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Crown Award | Young Men's Association of India[58] | Young Men's Association of India is an NGO headed by president Amit Swami who is a promoter of bodybuilding in India. The honour is presented for Sangram's achievements in wrestling. |
| 2010 | Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Ekta Samman | All India national Unity conference (AINUC) | Sangram Singh Presented for Achievements in various areas of life.[59][60][61] |
| 2012 | Shiv Rajmudra Chhatrapati Award[62] | Indian Martial Art - Maharashtra | Sangram Singh was awarded this award as Best Sports Person of 2012. |
| 2012 | World's Best Wrestler of 2012[63][64] | WWP[65] | WWP is a Professional Wrestling Federation in South Africa. Sangram was selected for this award from World Wide Wrestlers in WWP. |
| 2014 | Indian Affair India Leadership Conclave Award | Prestige Media Outfit | Sangram Singh among others shined at Asia's Biggest India Leadership Conclave Awards 2014[66] |
| 2014 | Top 30 under 30 | Hindustan Times | Sangram Singh received this award as being young and inspiring youth who brought a good change in society and is notable in his respected field. |
| 2015 | National Achievements Awards | Newspapers association of India ( NAI)[67] | Best Sportsperson of the year. |
| 2016 | Best Sportsperson & TV personality | Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Award[68] | This award was initiated by the nephew of the former President of India and an acclaimed NGO. |
| 2018 | Bharat Gaurav Award | The Bharat Gaurav award Foundation.[69] | Sangram Singh was felicitated with Bharat Gaurav Award for being a talented sports contributor to the Nation.[70] |
| 2019 | Fighters Spirit of the Year 2019 | Med Scape India | Medscape India National Awards has been a successful endeavor of Medscape India since the last eight years. Sangram Singh has awarded for his contribution in the field of health care of India[71] |
| 2019 | Man of Substance award | Born Of Web [72] | Sangram Singh receives Iconic Man of Substance Award for his dedication towards fitness and a healthy Lifestyle.[73] |
| 2019 | World Peace of Messengers | World Peace and Diplomacy Organisation | Sangram Singh receives this award for contributing his share towards the betterment of people globally.[57][74] |
| 2020 | Change Maker Award 2020 | Award by Yuva Unstoppable | Sangram Singh was recognised as Changemaker at Yuva Unstoppable event in Delhi for the remarkable mission and work of Sangram Singh Foundation.[75] |
| 2020 | Dream Achiever award | Films Today, Nana Nani Foundation[76] | Sangram Singh receives Dream Achievers Award for his unparalleled contribution towards society and was honoured by Governor of Maharashtra[77][78] |
| 2021 | Maharashtra Jan Gaurav Purskar | Shri Bhagatsingh Koshyariji Governor of Maharashtra | Sangram Singh was awarded for Maharashtra Jan Gaurav Purskar Ceremony at Raj Bhavan by the hand Shri Bhagatsingh koshyariji governor of Maharashtra.[79] |
| 2022 | Youth Icon Award | Cinema Aaj Tak | Sangram Singh was awarded Youth Icon Award by Cinema Aaj Tak -2022 [80] |
| 2022 | Perfect Achiever award | Perfect Woman Magazine | On mens Day Sangram Singh receives Perfect Achievers Award for being the Best Real Life Power Couple of the Year[81][82] 1 |
