Wrestling tourney gets good response

The Hindu


Going for gold: Participants at the wrestling championship in Chitradurga on Sunday. Chitradurga: Hundreds of wrestling enthusiasts flocked to the Old Middle School Ground here on Sunday to witness the II State-level Wrestling Championship, traditionally known as the Jhangi Kusti. Nearly 46 wrestlers from the State and Maharashtra participated in the championship, which was organised by the Kannada Sena Samiti.
The ancient sport has always been popular in the region.
Samiti president Jaishankar said: “We organise this tournament with the intention of preserving this age-old sport, interest in which is gradually diminishing in urban areas.”
Pehelwan Tippeswamy of Burujanahatti, pehelwan Maradi of Karuvina katte and pehelwan Rehman of Horapete were the referees.
Participants had come from places such as Belgaum, Dharwad, Davangere, Sangli, Kolhapur and Chitradurga. As many as 12 wrestlers from Chitradurga participated in the championship.
Inaugurating the championship, S.K. Basavarajan, MLA, stressed on the need to preserve the “garadi manegalu” (wresting houses) of Chitradurga.
He also promised to financial assistance for the “garadis” in the city.