Dangal: Baba Ramdev to wrestle it out with Russian Olympic medallist

Yoga guru Ramdev will challenge the 2008 Olympic silver medallist Andrey Stadnik for a friendly wrestling bout ahead of the second semifinal match between Mumbai Maharathi and NCR Punjab Royals, in the Pro Wrestling League.

The eye turning match is scheduled at 6:30 pm today in New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

“I have fought bouts with national level wrestlers. But playing against an internationally renowned player will be more exciting. You will witness the real power of yoga in this match,” said Ramdev.

Andrey is remembered by Indian wrestling enthusiasts for beating Indian star wrestler Sushil Kumar at the Beijing Olympics. As Andrey reached the finals it gave Sushil an opportunity to play in repechage and win a bronze medal.

Before the 2nd semifinal on Wednesday, these two will play a friendly bout. Baba Ramdev says he does stamina building exercises daily and whenever he gets time, he visits akhara to study wrestling.

Patanjali Ayurved Limited, a company owned by Baba Ramdev, sponsors the Pro Wrestling League. Though the Ukraine wrestler said he was surprised with the offer, Andrey perhaps didn’t have much of a choice but to accept the challenge.

Sushil Kumar has already had such an offer from the yoga guru last year on the 20th anniversary of their Ashram in Haridwar. Sushil had lauded the stamina and energy of the yoga guru and stated that he could have become a world-class wrestler had he taken up the sport.