Lakbhir Gill drives a cab and is studying to be a paramedic because you canB次元官网网址檛 count on a career in pro wrestling.
Still, heB次元官网网址檚 giving it his best shot.
Known in the ring as Middle Eastern Warrior Lak Siddartha, the 29-year-old is 6-foot-2, 230 lbs., and is the latest in a rich legacy of Saanich wrestlers dating back to the 1930s.
Siddartha will compete in Greater Victoria for the first time since organizing his own promotion in 2009. Siddartha vs. The Cremator is one of five bouts lined up for the Canadian National Wrestling Alliance event at LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Luxton Hall on April 12.
B次元官网网址淔ans can expect a destructive match between me and The Cremator. ItB次元官网网址檚 our first fight against each other, and itB次元官网网址檚 going to be part an explosive night of wrestling,B次元官网网址� Siddartha said.
B次元官网网址�(Siddartha) is one of the most physically dominant wrestlers in Canadian wrestling right now. ThereB次元官网网址檚 been a heightened emphasis on cruiserweights and high fliers, as a lot of the big guys have gone from pro wrestling to MMA.B次元官网网址� - Vance Nevada
Despite the sportB次元官网网址檚 grandeur on television, the local scene has been pretty quiet of late. Siddartha actually organized the last promotion on the South Island, a single event called the Pure Wrestling Association in 2009.
His most recent bout, however, was only a few weeks ago on the Mainland. Siddartha fought in a cage match against SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Mr. India. It ended a year-long feud, a back and forth affair during which SiddarthaB次元官网网址檚 manager kept interfering on his behalf, helping him win.
B次元官网网址淲ith the cage match, your honour is on the line, and I accepted the request. Mr. India outsmarted me and won. ItB次元官网网址檚 the end of the feud.B次元官网网址�
It wasnB次元官网网址檛 the first time Siddartha played the bad guy. His dark persona is a Middle Eastern spin on WWEB次元官网网址檚 The Undertaker.
B次元官网网址淚 try to tour as much as I can, IB次元官网网址檓 usually on the road a couple times a month,B次元官网网址� Siddartha said.
B次元官网网址淚 knew since I saw (Hulk Hogan) fight the Ultimate Warrior when I was six years old that I wanted to be a pro wrestler. When I was 21, I headed to Ontario to train. I needed a gimmick, and became Lak Siddartha, the Prince of Power.B次元官网网址�
Eventually, his name shifted to what it is now.
Last year, Siddartha made his biggest strides yet. He tried out for the WWE and has taken their feedback to heart, with the goal of signing a contract.
B次元官网网址�(WWE) told me they want to see an overall improvement in my skills and my fitness. Since then I studied at former WWE wrestler Lance StormB次元官网网址檚 wrestling school for three months in Calgary in hopes of getting a contract.B次元官网网址�
Tillicum wrestling
Wrestling took root in Saanich before it moved to Victoria, said Vance Nevada, a current CNWA wrestler and wrestling historian.
Cigar shop owner Fred Richardson promoted an ongoing series with the Tillicum Athletic Club.
B次元官网网址淩ichardson did it for a few years, 1932 to B次元官网网址�34, and there was a rivalry, believe it or not, between Richardson and another promoter named A.E. Chilton,B次元官网网址� Nevada said. B次元官网网址淥ne of the coups that Chilton scored was Victoria boy Rocky Brooks, who jumped from Richardson to Chilton.B次元官网网址�
Awww snap!
Long before Siddartha, Saanich claimed Chief Thunderbird (Jean Baptiste Paul), a legendary wrestler from 1933 to 1955, who was said to have passed up his right to be chief of the Tsartlip first nation. An all-world athlete and university graduate, Thunderbird used a potent leg-hold called the Saanich Snap.
Siddartha doesnB次元官网网址檛 know the hold, but has a finishing move of his own called the F5 Decapitator (based on the tornado rating).
B次元官网网址淚 lift the (opponent) over my shoulders, twist over my head (simulating a tornado), and slam their face into the canvas.B次元官网网址�
Tickets for the April 12 event are $15, $10 for youth and military, and are available in advance at Vintage Funk in Victoria and the Glen Lake Liquor Store in Langford.
For more information visit .
CNWA Wrestling
April 12 at Luxton Hall. Doors 6:30, wrestling at 7 p.m.
Gangrel vs. The MaulerVance Nevada vs. Marty SugarJordi Taylor and K.C. Andrews vs. The Serial ThrillersLak Siddartha vs. The Cremator (Port Alberni)
