Pune wrestler dreams of Olympics

When Pune-based wrestler, Amol Buchade (28) beat Punjab’s Kamaljit 5-3 in
November 2010 to win the prestigious Rustam-e-Hind title, he became part of a very exclusive club.

A club that boasts of ace Maharashtra wrestlers, Harischandra Birajdar (Pune) and Dadu Chowgule (Kolhapur), who won the same title in 1972 and 1973 respectively.

Amol, a resident of Marunji village near the Hinjewadi IT Park, now wants to become a world champion like his role model and friend, Sushil Kumar of New Delhi.

Speaking to DNA, Amol, essentially a mat wrestler, said he preferred the
Greco-Roman style.

“Though I won the Maharashtra Kesari and Rustam-e-Hind titles, there is nothing greater than winning a gold medal in the Olympics or an international wrestling championship. I want to hold the tricolour in my hands,” Amol said.
Beginning with a stint at the state government's Krida Prabodhini at the sports
complex in Balewadi at the age of 14, he shifted to the Kolhapur Krida Prabodhini, where he was tutored by Ram Sarang.

Though Amol has international dreams, he is presently practising hard at the Mamasaheb Mohol wrestling complex in the city for the National Games in Jharkhand in February.