Behind every great wrestler stands a greater coach – enter Satpal Singh, the architect of India’s wrestling renaissance. Born February 1, 1955, in Delhi, he first conquered as an athlete before elevating the sport through mentorship at Chhatrasal Stadium.
Guru Hanuman shaped his early years at Hanuman Akhara, leading to 16 national titles. Global silver medals at Commonwealth Games (1974 Christchurch, 1978 Alberta, 1982 Brisbane) and Asian Games (bronze Tehran 1974, silver Bangkok 1978, gold New Delhi 1982 heavyweight) marked his peak. 1980 Olympics freestyle 100kg was another milestone.
Pehlwani accolades: Rustam-e-Hind (1974-75), Bharat Kesari (1975), and a treasure trove of traditional crowns, earning him Mahabali Satpal fame.
Coaching since 1988, his Chhatrasal hub has birthed icons: Sushil Kumar (two Olympic medals), Yogeshwar Dutt (Olympic bronze), Ravi Dahiya (Olympic gold), Amit Dahiya (world silver). This lineage underscores his genius.
Government accolades: Arjuna 1974, Padma Shri 1983, Dronacharya 2009, Padma Bhushan 2015. At 70, Satpal’s commitment fuels India’s wrestling ambitions, promising more glory ahead.