The Hindu : Karnataka / Mysore News : Wrestlers thrill fans in Mysore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 10, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Wrestlers thrill fans in Mysore

By Our Staff Correspondent

Women wrestlers in a demonstration bout in Mysore.

MYSORE, AUG. 9. As the bout reached its climax, a thunderous roar rent the air rooting for the local lad, Chandrashekara Chinna. For, it was a bout that this faithful band of followers of Kusti (traditional wrestling) had been waiting for eagerly. The pride and prestige of Mysore wrestlers were at stake in this Mar-Pit (fight till the finish) bout featuring a duel between Delhi-based Ashok Pal Singh and Chinna.

A city that once boasted more than 250 garadis but now lacks good tournaments apart from the Dasara competition, was witnessing an Indian style wrestling competition on a pleasant Sunday evening after a hiatus.

The competition organised by the wrestling subcommittee of Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) became a testing ground for the popularity of a sport that is on the wane.

Nearly 7,000 spectators turned up at the D. Devaraja Urs Kusti Akada for the Kata Kusti, the Indian style of traditional wrestling.

With such intriguing duels taking place where the skills of each wrestler are put to the test by deft manoeuvres, the spectators were on their feet every time a wrestler bit the dust.

Pehalwans from many local garadis took part in the competition.

Although the tickets were priced Rs. 30 and Rs. 50, it did not deter wrestling enthusiasts from flocking to the akada.

Many of them had travelled from villages in the district where wrestling is still popular. Even as the Mar-Pit duel hogged the limelight on Sunday evening, the spectators who had thronged the akada anticipating interesting duels were not disappointed with the other bouts organised in various categories.

It was also a platform for 56 youths representing various garadis from Mysore, Mandya, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Davangere, and Kolar to display their skills.

In the Mar-Pit, Ashok Pal Singh showed his superior skills and power to outmanoeuvre Chinna in a duel that lasted over 30 minutes. The contest that brought out the best in the two, who were fiercely contesting to protect the pride of their respective garadis, was a treat to thousands of passionate followers of the game who have been starved of such thrilling contests for a long time.

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