UDHAMPUR, Jun 17: J&K Police wrestler Bablu of Basantgarh emerged victorious in the prestigious 24th Jangal Gali Kesari Dangal, held at the newly constructed wrestling ground near Government Middle School Jangal Gali on the eve of the two-day Suhalghati Mela. The traditional wrestling event was witnessed by a large gathering of sports enthusiasts and local residents.
The Dangal was organised by the Jai Maa Kalka Dangal Committee, Jangal Gali, in association with the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under the overall supervision of former wrestler Kuldeep Singh, President of the Committee, and Balwant Singh, former Sarpanch.
Varinder Kumar Badyal attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Sumit Magotra was the Guest of Honour. Ajay Gudda, General Secretary of Fruits Mandi Udhampur, also graced the occasion.
A total of 42 wrestling bouts were contested during the day-long event, showcasing the talent of wrestlers from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
In the main and most awaited bout of the dangal, Bablu of Basantgarh, currently serving in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, defeated Amit of Uttar Pradesh to clinch the coveted 24th Jangal Gali Kesari Dangal title. For his impressive victory, Bablu was awarded a cash prize of Rs 11,000, while runner-up Amit received Rs 10,000.
The second main bout witnessed Ankush of Reasi defeating Rohit of Delhi after an intense contest. One of the most exciting matches of the dangal saw Savi of Haryana outclass Satinder of Panchari, earning loud applause from the spectators and highlighting the growing participation of women in traditional wrestling.
Speaking on the occasion, the guests appreciated the organisers for promoting rural sports and preserving the rich tradition of Indian-style wrestling. They said such events provide a valuable platform to young wrestlers to showcase their talent and encourage the youth to adopt sports as a way of life.
The successful conduct of the dangal was made possible through the efforts of members of the Jai Maa Kalka Dangal Committee, including Kuldeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Chamail Singh, Khem Raj, Ganesh Singh, Uttam Singh, Gurmail Singh and Prabhu Singh.
The event concluded with prize distribution and appreciation for the participating wrestlers, who entertained the audience with thrilling contests and demonstrated the enduring popularity of traditional wrestling in the region.