Past-time before Islam

With regard to the pastime of Hazrat Umar (ra), during the era of ignorance, it is mentioned that horse-riding and wrestling were among his favourite hobbies. Hazrat Umar (ra) would win almost every year in the wrestling competition during the annual Ukkaz festival. During his youth, he would graze camels for his father, as was the custom among the Arabs.

(Sayyiduna Hazrat Umar Faruq A‘zam (ra), Muhammad Hussain Haikal [translated] pp. 51-52, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore)