Vetal Shelke from Solapur won the Maharashtra Kesari title after defeating Mumbai’s Pruthviraj Patil in the final of the 66th Maharashtra Kesari Wrestling Championship. Shelke displayed an aggressive game and secured victory by seven points. Patil managed to score only one point and was declared the runner-up. Shelke’s supporters celebrated his win with great enthusiasm. Senior leader and former Union minister Sharad Pawar, former ministers Jayant Patil and Harshvardhan Patil, MP Nilesh Lanke, MLAs Rohit Pawar, Dhairyasheel Mohite and Jitendra Awhad, and other dignitaries attended the event.
The Maharashtra Wrestling Council and MLA Rohit Pawar Mitramandal Karjat-Jamkhed organized the championship at Sant Sadguru Godad Maharaj Kridanagari.
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All Eyes on Shivraj Rakshe’s Bout
In February, during the 67th Maharashtra Kesari Wrestling Championship in Ahmednagar, wrestler Shivraj Rakshe kicked a referee in protest against a controversial decision in the semifinal. The incident sparked widespread debate. Rakshe participated in the Karjat event. In the semifinal, Nanded’s Shivraj Rakshe faced Mumbai’s Pruthviraj Patil on the mat. Patil won the match, and Rakshe demanded a review of the technical aspects of the match. However, the referee's decision remained unchanged.
Honor for the Champions
Maharashtra Kesari winner Vetal Shelke received the prestigious mace in memory of the late Mamasahib Mohol, presented by Ashok Mohol. Runner-up Pruthviraj Patil was honored with a mace by the Mohite family, presented by Dhavalsingh Mohite.