WWE wrestler Rinku Singh takes a dip at Sangam, prays for success in ring
- A Bhadohi native, 33-year-old Rinku Singh’s story is as improbable as it is inspiring.
Former Baseball player and now a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler Rinku Singh took a dip in Sangam at the Magh Mela-2021 in Prayagraj and offered prayers on Thursday. He also visited the Bade Hanuman temple on the banks of Sangam and paid obeisance to Lord Hanuman, the God of power and strength, who has been worshipped by wrestlers across India for ages.
“It was truly a spiritual experience. I feel fully reinvigorated and would now enter the wrestling ring in the US with new energy and spirit,” said Rinku Singh.
He later also took part in a havan in the temple complex and became a member of Ganga Sena, an NGO headed by Chote Mahant of Bade Hanuman temple Anand Giri. The sena is dedicated to ‘saving’ the holy Ganges.
A Bhadohi native, 33-year-old Rinku Singh’s story is as improbable as it is inspiring. Son of a humble truck driver who grew up in the rural belt of Hindi heartland and won a reality TV show contest “Million Dollar Arm” in 2008; played Baseball at the highest level in US and Australia before turning to professional wrestling when forced to give up baseball due to elbow injuries.
A quality javelin thrower and a cricketer as a kid, Rinku in 2008, then just 19 years old, had earned US $100,000 for his ability to throw a baseball fast and eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a top US baseball team, for $8,000.
On July 4, 2009, a towering 6 feet 4 inches tall Singh became the first Indian citizen to appear in a professional baseball game in the US. He also played professional Baseball in Dominican Republic and Australia.
Also Read: Two Dalit girls die in UP’s Unnao, 1 critical: What we know
However, the dream to make it big as a professional baseball player flamed out in 2016 as a result of recurring elbow injuries. Rinku’s path then took a sharp turn into the world of professional wrestling after he signed up with WWE in January 2018 where he now aims to make it big.
“I realise that I can better connect with Indian youth through WWE wrestling than I could through baseball which is mainly a US sport. So I am looking forward to reaching as many Indian youngsters as I can through my wrestling in the rings and motivate them to also go out and chase their dreams,” he added.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Biker arrested after beating tempo driver to death in Ulhasnagar
A 22-year-old tempo driver was killed by a biker after the four-wheeler allegedly broke the two-wheeler's number plate on Monday midnight. While the tempo driver was refusing the allegation, the biker allegedly assaulted him to death and fled the spot. He was later arrested by Ulhasnagar police. The accused is identified as a resident of Ulhasnagar, 29, Karan Jasuja. The accused later pulled out the driver, Sonu Patadia, and beat him up to death.
-
School principal, police officer arrested for Rajasthan constable recruitment paper leak
Eight people including a school principal, Diwakar Public Secondary School principal Shalu Sharma (33)'s husband and a police officer have been arrested by the special operations group of the Rajasthan Police for leaking a paper of the police constable recruitment examination held on May 14. Additional director general, SOG, Ashok Rathore said the investigators identified the examination centre in Jaipur suburb Jhotwara and arrested eight people found to be involved in the paper leak.
-
Boman Irani, president, CREDAI-MCHI, said, “The issues resolved by the UD ministry will help Navi Mumbai developers to execute their projects seamlessly and reduce the ongoing financial burden caused due to rising input costs and increase in repo rate last week. Thousands of homebuyers who were not getting possession of their flats due to the CRZ issue will also get immediate relief.”
-
Mohali commuters bear brunt of road closures caused by farmers’ protest
Commuters on Tuesday found themselves at the receiving end as a farmer unions' protest at the YPS roundabout led to traffic being diverted to other routes, resulting in multiple traffic jams. Phase 7 residents were the worst affected as four major roads leading to the YPS crossing were closed for vehicular traffic amid the protest. Authorities were forced to barricade and seal Chandigarh-Mohali borders.
-
Spate of deaths: India’s missions in Canada to create database of students
India's missions in Canada are enhancing their outreach to students from India as their numbers balloon along with a spate of incidents, including accidents, suicides, even murders. The latest such tragedy was reported on Sunday, when Peel Regional Police found the body of 20-year-old Navkiran Singh from Moga district in Punjab drowned in the Credit Valley River in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area. No cause has yet been attributed for the death.
