Mahal, aka Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, Is The Nephew Of Calgary Stampede Wrestling Legend The Great Gama Singh!

Jinder Mahal, aka Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, made history last Sunday by becoming the first Sikh-Indo-Canadian to win the WWE Championship. Mahal, who is the nephew of India-born wrestling legend Gama Singh – one of the most hated wrestling villains to come out of Calgary Stampede Wrestling – shocked the wrestling world in his defeat of former WWE Champion Randy Orton in Rosemont, Illinois last Sunday. Mahal is also the first Calgarian professional wrestler to win WWE Championship since Bret Hart did it 20 years ago. Hart first met Mahal through the WWE in 2012, and said he isn't your typical wrestler. Knowing Mahal as hard-working, polite and well-spoken, Hart said Mahal's achievement isn't just a win for Calgary, but for devoted fans across India. "I know it hasn't been an easy career for Jinder in Calgary, and he's just one of those wrestlers who's continually climbed the ladder. I'm a big fan of his," the legendary Hart said

CALGARY– Professional showbiz wrestler Jinder Mahal, aka Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, made history last Sunday by becoming the first Sikh-Indo-Canadian to win the WWE Championship

Mahal is also the first Calgarian professional wrestler to win WWE Championship since wrestling legend Bret "The Hitman" Hart claimed his fourth championship in 1997.

Mahal, also becomes the first wrestler of Indian descent to ever land the prestigious title.

The nephew of India-born wrestler Gama Singh – one of the most hated wrestling villains to come out of Calgary Stampede Wrestling – Mahal shocked the wrestling world in his defeat of former WWE Champion Randy Orton in Rosemont, Illinois last Sunday, reported Post Media.

Hart first met Mahal through the WWE in 2012, and said he isn't your typical wrestler. Knowing Mahal as hard-working, polite and well-spoken, Hart said Mahal's achievement isn't just a win for Calgary, but for devoted fans across India.

"There's a long history of great professional Indian wrestlers who would be very proud of this moment – he's going to be a huge hero in India," he said. "I know it hasn't been an easy career for Jinder in Calgary, and he's just one of those wrestlers who's continually climbed the ladder. I'm a big fan of his."

Mahal's wrestling career kicked off in Calgary at the now-defunct Martial Arts Fitness Centre training with life coach and public speaker Rick "Titan" Bognar, who made his debut in the professional wrestling world as the WWF's second Razor Ramon character.

A martial arts heavyweight champ, Bognar started training Mahal at age 15.

"He was already 6-foot-5," Bogner said with a laugh. "He was a quiet, but really respectful guy who worked very hard. I could almost teach him something just once and he'd catch on. He had a lot of ups and downs in his career, I was super happy for him when I heard he won."

In 2010, Mahal showed up to his WWE tryout wearing a turban and full Punjabi garb. He made his WWE television debut the following year under the ring name Jinder Mahal.

Fading from the WWE world when his contract finished in 2014, a determined Mahal made his way back into the limelight in 2016. Just one year and many double underhook suplexes (one of Mahal's signature moves) later, he was crowned WWE Champion at Backlash.

The win will likely hold a special place in the hearts of Calgary wrestling fans who remember the city as a major wrestling hub after the launch of Stampede Wrestling in 1948.

Brothers Bret and Owen Hart – two of Stu Hart's eight sons, all of whom wrestled professionally – helped put Calgary on the international wrestling map with their success in what was formerly known as the WWF, reported Post Media.

"I've been following Mahal and it's nice to see Calgary do well again," Hart said. "He was one of those wrestlers who was always learning. I'm just really happy for him that all that hard work has paid off."