Who was the first Indian to win a medal in Commonwealth Games?

The ace wrestler, Rashid Anwar was the first Indian to win a medal in Commonwealth Games. He achieved a bronze medal in the 1934 Empires Games after competing in the men's 74kg freestyle wrestling event. The Indian wrestler also worked as an ambulance driver during World War 2 after the tournament. He is considered as another wonder like KD Jadav in wrestling.

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Rashid Anwar was nicknamed as the 'Swinging Boston Crab' for his special wrestling move. If the 1940 Olympics had taken place, he might have won a medal as he was in his ultimate form. Moreover, the wrestling sensation was technically superior to his competitors. Even the famed Olympian and wrestler, Norman Morrel was also defeated by Anwar's tactful skills.

The ace wrestler finished third in the freestyle welterweight category and became the first Indian to win a medal in Commonwealth Games. He also competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. But unfortunately, he was knocked out in the second round. After that, he started to compete in various tournaments. In the pre-world war 2 period, Anwar defeated world champion wrestler Al Fuller and middleweight champion, Billy Riley on their home turf.

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Rashid initially worked as an Indian Railway staff in Lucknow. It was claimed that he was the National champion in the Welterweight category more than 8 times. He had also worked as an ambulance driver during World War 2. After the war, he started to wrestle again in 1957. His last victory was against Hans Streiger in 1959.

However, he passed away in 1973 at his residence in Camden, London. Rashid Anwar is one of the forgotten legends of India's pre and post-independence sporting world.