Lutte : Un sport roi aux mains d’une élite vieillissante (Par Moustapha Toumbou)
He wanted to bow out in style, but he collapsed with a crash. On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Bombardier faced Jackson Jr., a young wrestler from Guédiawaye. The match promised a jubilee, a final lap of honor for the B52 of Mbour, destined to close a career of nearly thirty years on a festive note. But history decided otherwise. His opponent had no intention of playing extras. What was expected to be an exit from the stage for Serigne Dia turned into a real test for the young prodigy of the "Guédiawaye Mbollo" stable. A generational clash with the feel of a transfer of power, imbued with palpable tension. In just 4 minutes and 24 seconds, the verdict was in. In a single grapple, Jackson Jr. pinned Bombardier to the ground with a grip of disconcerting simplicity, too simple, some would say, for a fight of this magnitude.
A brutal fall, synonymous with the end clap for the former king of the arenas, who is finally hanging up his boots, well into his forties, or even on the cusp of his fifties. His real age remains a mystery, carefully maintained, like a locker room secret. This artistic vagueness may have allowed him to prolong his career, with the complicity of the regulatory gray areas that hover over Senegalese wrestling.
At the time of Dr. Alioune Sarr, then president of the National Management Committee (CNG), the age limit for wrestlers was set at 45. This rule was discreetly relaxed under pressure from wrestlers, with the approval of a doctor deemed capable of issuing the precious sesame. A three-year extension to allow worn-out bodies, but fighting spirits, to earn a few more fees before retirement.
Another argument in favor of this longevity: the arena's VIP status. No official text clearly defines this title, but according to the insiders of this almost esoteric circle, certain criteria emerge.
First, and not least, is popularity. In the world of "lamb wrestling," image often takes precedence over strength or technique. Before mastering the holds, you have to know how to fire up the crowd. The example of Diop 2, a wrestler from Yeumbeul, is revealing. His last fight against Tapha Mbeur, at the national arena, resembled a political rally. The stands were overflowing with fans in white t-shirts, galvanized, ready to carry their champion to victory. And they succeeded. Carried by this popular enthusiasm, Diop 2 believed himself capable of challenging Modou Lô, the king of the arenas himself. An ambition that may seem premature, even unrealistic, but which, in Senegalese wrestling, is in no way heretical. Audacity is part of the game.
Another condition for joining the exclusive VIP circle: the endorsement of promoters. Being talented isn't enough; a solid organization must agree to put you in the spotlight with tens of millions. This is no small feat. This financial logic further tightens the ranks of the elite, a microscopic elite in a universe that had more than 4,000 licensees during the 2022-2023 season, a figure likely on the rise today.
Ultimately, a Senegalese wrestling season boils down to a handful of major posters, rarely more than a dozen, always featuring the same names: Balla Gaye 2, Modou Lô, Eumeu Sène, Bombardier, Gris Bordeaux, Tapha Tine... These figures come back again and again, because they have had the privilege of entering the arena's very select VIP club. No membership cards here, only the ability to thrill the crowds and fill the coffers counts.
A striking detail jumps out when observing these "very important people": they are all over the age of 35. Socially, this age group remains young. The President of the Republic, considered the youngest head of state in Senegal's history, is a perfect illustration of this. But in sport, the situation is quite different.
If they haven't retired yet, they should have started thinking about it. Yet, nothing of the sort. For wrestlers, this age group symbolizes maturity, a phase where they claim to be at the peak of their fitness, both physically and mentally. An illusion that the reality of sport shatters.
Because, even if technique counts, Senegalese wrestling requires power, explosiveness, and endurance, qualities that age slowly but surely erodes. Take Bombardier, for example. Before his last fight, the giant from Mbour had suffered four consecutive defeats, all against hungry young guns. As in any high-level sport, the body eventually demands its due. Years of impact, intensive training, and repeated fights take their toll. The more time passes, the greater the risk of injury. Balla Gaye 2 is proof of this: at 39, he is struggling to recover from a knee injury that has hampered him for a long time. Despite this, some cling to their place, keeping a generation of substitutes waiting in the shadows. And when their turn finally comes, it is often too late to build a true legend.
The case of Franc, the current revelation of the arena, illustrates this situation. On August 2, he brilliantly defeated Eumeu Sène. Yet, at 31 or 32 years old depending on the source, the "Ndiago Or" already has a 12-year career. Beginning in 2013 in singles wrestling, or "Mbapat," his rise was forged well before he exploded into striking wrestling. With 15 victories in as many fights and a figure built for war, Franc is now establishing himself as the new boss to beat. A champion who has reached maturity, but a little late for a sport where freshness often makes the difference.
When it's not the blank years that hold wrestlers back, they have to deal with the approval of the "big boys." A match in the Senegalese arena is never born from a simple draw. It depends on the will of the promoters and, above all, the goodwill of the headliners, who only accept a fight on the condition that the opponent suits them. As a result, wrestlers choose their challengers, and very often, it remains a game between insiders, between stars, between those accustomed to huge fees.
In this sometimes closed circle, only one seems to be taking risks: Modou Lô, the king of the Plots. He regularly reaches out to ambitious young people, taking on Ama Baldé, Boy Niang 2, and Siteu. Each time, he has emerged victorious, reinforcing his status as the undisputed leader. But with the old hands constantly going around in circles, the Senegalese struggle is slowly running out of steam.
Isn't it time to rethink its organization? Why not consider a national championship that would run throughout the sporting season? Three leagues, from the first to the third division, with twenty wrestlers per division, is an avenue worth seriously exploring. The top three in each division would advance to the next level, while the three lowest performers would move down. A system of promotion and relegation that would instill merit in a sport that is too often rigid.
On the financial side, promoters and wrestlers could welcome this. In a difficult economic climate, pooling efforts would reduce risks, attract more partners, and offer a more transparent product. Better still, a well-structured organization would undoubtedly attract sponsors, who could return in force, reassured by this modernization.
Finally, a far from trivial detail: such a system would offer a real opportunity to the thousands of members who dream of making a name for themselves in the arena. The internationalization of Senegalese wrestling could also benefit from it. Because a sport that opens up, organizes itself, and professionalizes always ends up attracting attention. And the entire world could well become a supporter.
Commentaires (9)
De toute façon ils ont fait leur temps maintenant c'est autour de ceux qui n'en ont toujours pas fait.
Bel article avec des propositions et des arguments pertinents
Pouff, une perte réelle de temps de lire ce papier, surtout concernant la soi-disant proposition de championnat faite en fin de texte. Monsieur, je ne pense pas que tu connaisses le monde des sports comme la lutte (Boxe, MMA etc.). Il est impossible d'y faire ce genre de propositions insensées. Ces sports se vivent au rythme des promoteurs privés et non des fédérations et autres. La machine championnat, à l'image des sports collectifs comme le foot ou le basket, n'y fera jamais long feu. Je dirai même que c'est impossible d'y parvenir. L'autre point très faible de ton analyse, c'est de citer Modou Lô comme quelqu'un qui prendrait des risques en donnant des chances aux jeunes ou aux non VIP? Tu es vraiment limité en analyse. Modou fait non seulement partie des derniers VIP à l'avoir fait (fin 2023 contre Ama), mais regarde bien les parcours des lutteurs à qui il donnerait la chance. Ama, quelles sont ces dernières victoires dans l'arène (contre Papa Sow en 2018 et contre Gris en 2024)? Boy Niang, 1 seule victoire depuis 2018 (contre Balla Gaye 2 en 2023: défait par Tapha Tine, Lac 2, Modou Lô) et enfin Siteu (2 seuls victoires depuis 2017: contre le retraité Papa Sow en 2023 et récemment contre celui dont tu parles dans ton papier de problèmes de genoux: défait par Gouy Gui en 2018, sans verdict contre Papa Sow en 2022, défait par Lac 2; défait par Mod Lô). Ceci pour te dire que Seuls Lac 2 et Tapha Tine donnent vraiment chance aux non VIP et surtout à des moments où ils sont les plus dangereux. Modou Lô est le lutteur qui trie plus ses adversaires, même chez les VIP. Il ne te prend pas si le risque est vraiment réel. La preuve, depuis qu'il est roi, il ne lutte que contre des lutteurs au palmarès pas très top au cours des 10 dernières années! Ce n'est pas pour rien qu'il évite Tapha Tine (1 défaite en 10 ans: contre BG2 en 2024) et Sa Thiès (2 défaites en 11 ans: contre Boy Niang en 2018 et Eumeu en 2024).
Très bon article!
SVP AIDEZ NOUS A RENDRE PROPRES NOS GARAGES (PETERSEN SURTOUT) ET MARCHES
les VIP deviennent des PVI (Pauvres Vilains Idoles)
Tout à exact. Des momies qui veulent coûte que coûte rester dans l'arène malgré leur âge avancé.et il y a des promoteurs irresponsables qui veulent leur donner des cachets au détriment de la jeune génération montante. les balla gaye 2, Modou lo, aumeu séne, tapha tine, lac de Guiers 2, gris bordeaux et autres momies doivent raccrocher leur guimb.
Ils doivent arrêter et s’occuper des jeunes qui suivent dans leurs écuries et créer des emplois en faisant des investissements rentables au lieu de construire dans l’immobilier principalement
Ce sport est une mafia
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