With wrestling season wiped out, pehelwans struggle to make a living
The victory parade in front of a packed audience as he sat on the shoulders of jubilant fans after winning the Karnataka Kesari title at the Karnataka Kusti Habba, Dharwad, in February is now a distant memory for young Sangamesh Biradar.
Organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Kusti Habba is among the popular competitions on the state mud wrestling circuit, the others being the CM's Cup held during Dasara Sports and events in Bagalkot and Dharwad. With Dasara Sports also cancelled, the wrestling season — which fetched the pehelwans honour and lakhs in prize money — has been wiped out this year by the coronavirus.
Organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Kusti Habba is among the popular competitions on the state mud wrestling circuit, the others being the CM's Cup held during Dasara Sports and events in Bagalkot and Dharwad. With Dasara Sports also cancelled, the wrestling season — which fetched the pehelwans honour and lakhs in prize money — has been wiped out this year by the coronavirus.