Bombardier, 45, and Eumeu Sène, 24 years of career, face each other on Sunday March 27 for a shock revenge in Senegalese wrestling. A fight that testifies to the longevity of these athletes but also to the difficulty of the Senegalese arena to unearth hopes called to take over from these former kings.
The 20,000 seats at the National Arena of Pikine, in the Dakar suburbs, will have no trouble finding takers on Sunday March 27 for the Bombardier-Eumeu Sène fight. Two former kings of the arenas face each other again after a first duel in 2018 which had turned to the advantage of Eumeu Sène who had taken the opportunity to steal the crown of King of the arenas from the colossus of Mbour. Nearly three years later, the Pikinois, dispossessed of the title by Modou Lô, returns to put himself in danger against the indestructible Bombardier.
It’s a clash of legends of Senegalese wrestling, but also a fight between two tenors of the arena who have crossed this popular sport for more than 20 years while remaining competitive and adored by wrestling fans.
Retirement postponed for Bombardier
Serigne Dia, says Bombardier, is certainly the best in terms of longevity in the Senegalese arena in the last 30 years. The Mbour native is in his 27th year in the arena and remains a dangerous opponent. Evidenced by his second title of King, won 16 years after his first at 23 years old.
At 45, the former Balla Gaye 2 and Tyson scorer does not intend to retreat, taking advantage of the reduction in the age limit now raised to 48 by the National Management Committee (CNG), the body that manages Senegalese wrestling.
His younger brother, Eumeu Sene, 44, has already spent more than half his life in the arena with a 24-year career. A longevity that has propelled and kept him at the top with a fine list of successes adorned with prestigious successes on Balla Gaye 2 twice, Gris Bordeaux, Lac 2, and Bombardier.
“They polarize a large number of supporters”
The enthusiasm aroused by this “old man” fight says it all about their popularity, driven by the loyal strongholds of Mbour and Pikine, but also about the current state of Senegalese wrestling, where the young wolves have a lot of trouble winning. the star to the tenors.
It is a long time ago when Bombardier was crowned king of the arenas at only 23 years old or Balla Gaye at 26 years old. Experience and longevity now seem linked to claim the coveted crown. Eumeu Sène thus had to wait until he was 39 to touch the grail. Môdou Lô, reigning king, won the title at 34 by upgrading… Eumeu Sène. The greatest current hope, Ama Baldé, who will have the opportunity to dethrone Modou Lô during their fight in less than 4 months, is 29 years old.
For journalist Abdoulaye Dembélé, a specialist in Senegalese wrestling, it is as much the failure of hopes like Lac 2, Tapha Tine or even Gris Bordeaux, as the power of attraction of the old tenors of the arena which explains this phenomenon. ” Bombardier and Eumeu Sène are certainly old, but they polarize a large number of supporters in the arena, explains Sunu Lamb’s journalist. The entire Mbour region is behind Bombardier, while Pikine identifies with Eumeu Sène. These are large pools of supporters. Added to this is the fact that the promoter of the fight, Gaston Mbengue, remains very faithful to these wrestlers who bring in people and money. “.
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