Maharashtra Kesari: Tough fight ahead for top wrestlers as first round sees challenging draws

Even though, three-times winner Vijay Choudhari decided to skip the competition this time, other strong contenders are ready to face challenge.

The top wrestlers aiming for the prestigious Maharashtra Kesari title will face a tough draw right from the first round, starting from Friday.

Wrestlers battle it out at the 61st Senior State Wrestling Competition in Bhugaon. In the 61st Senior State Wrestling Competition, Pune’s Nilesh Kedar defeated Nashik’s Sonu Bagul in the second round. (Sanket Wankhade/HT PHOTO)

Even though, three-times winner Vijay Choudhari decided to skip the competition this time, other strong contenders are ready to face challenge.

Last year’s runner up Abhijit Katke and Pune’s Shivraj Rakshe, who were considered as strong contenders will face each other in the first round, while, Chandrahar Patil, who is aiming for the third title, will take on Ganesh Jagtap in the first round.

And most likely, Katke and Patil won’t be seen fighting in the final, as they will take on each other in the second round itself.

Sagar Birajdar will face Vikran Jadhav in the first round while Sachin Yelbhar will fight with Akshay Shinde. In the mud format, Pune’s Sainath Ranavade is likely to face Satara’s Kiran Bhagat or Tanajai Jhunjarke in the first round. The winners of both bouts will take on each other in second round.

Meanwhile in the 61st Senior State Wrestling Competition, Pune’s Nilesh Kedar defeated Nashik’s Sonu Bagul in the second round.

Results: Mud category: 70kg (2nd round) Alim Shaikh bt Sagar Surushe; Pawan Mane bt Chandrakant Khandebunde; Vikas Toradmal bt Tanaji Yelgude; Mahadev Kusumde bt Ankush Khandekar