AKOLA, May 17: This is a story of two childhood friends, whose common passion for wrestling brought them great joy and satisfaction, but as is always the case, one overshadowed the other with greater laurels.

That, however, was with no ill-intent. But the story took a curious turn as one died and the world mistook the other for the one who actually won laurels, but was now no more.

The bronze medallist at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the late Khashaba Dadu Jadhao, whose name was recalled time and again when Leander Paes won the tennis bronze at the Atlanta Olympics last year, had a lot of similarities with his school friend, Khashaba Bhau Jadhao. Both hailed from same place, Satara in Maharashtra. Both had the same first name and surname. The only difference was their fathers' names, which they used as the middle name. Both studied in the same class through school and college. And, of course, both had the same passion wrestling. In time, another `similarity' was added, when their respective wives, too, were called `Kusum'.

The two Khashabas' journey in life was almost parallel. The sojourn which started in the Tilak Rashtriya High School in Satara entered the next phase in Rajaram College. Both were members at the same akhara and took lessons from same ustad.

However, Khashaba Dadu Jadhao, seemed to have overtaken his friend by many steps, with that stunning bronze medal at the 1952 Olympics. His friend, seemingly left behind, took up administration, though his love for wrestling stayed intact. While Khashaba Dadu (KD) brought laurels to India, Khashaba Bhau (KB) did his bit to develop the game in Mumbai where he worked in Postal Department. KD worked with Maharashtra Police.

Then came twist. KD passed away. And then started the confusion for KB. Many mistook him for KD and showered praise on him for that `bronze medal'. He did his best to clear the confusion, but to no avail. But he did carry on his work in wrestling, organising bouts in areas like Dadar in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the State Government compounded the problem, when it honoured KB, the general secretary of Indian Style Wrestling Federation by allotting him a flat in metropolis. The decision played a havoc in KB's life thereafter. KD's wife, Kusum, complained that it was her husband who deserved the `honour' of a flat in the State. She moved an application to the then Chief Minister Vasantrao Patil in this regard. This led to a lot of animosity between the Jadhao families, though KB tried to keep away from controversy.

KB, who was in Akola for Hind Kesri wrestling, however, could not resist himself when a vernacular daily reported that State Government has done injustice to KD. ``His (KD's) widow needs help. The government should come forward,'' said the Railway coach and former international Bishambhar Singh, who once won a silver medal in the world championships.

A hurt KB came out strongly when someone accused him of overshadowing his friend KD. He said that it was he, who went all out to help out KD's widow and son. Former Member of Parliament, late Prithviraj Chauhan sanctioned Rs one lakh for her and Chief Minister Manohar Joshi has promised a job for her son, too. The State Government has also sanctioned a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 for KD's wife, Kusum, informed KB Jadhao while talking to The Indian Express. He said he is ready to come forward if his friend's wife needs more help.

However, the `similarity' of the life stories and the confusion that followed it, still haunts him. The `identity' crisis has made life miserable for the man who says, he would prefer to be a small shadow of his illustrious friend.