“In Mudhol, there is a wrestler in every home. Ninga, however, is different because he lacks a home.”
The path of North Karnataka’s newest star and his prodigy, 17-year-old Ningappa Genannavar, is described in these two phrases by the town’s wrestling instructor, Arun Kumakale.
Ningappa upset Iran’s Amirmohammad Saleh on Thursday in the 45-kg freestyle final at the Asian Under-17 Championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, thanks to his solid defence and reputation-building leg-attacks. His victory helped India place first in the junior continental competition, and it also brought attention to a wrestling hotbed that had hitherto been overshadowed by Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab. Ram Budaki, a wrestling coach for the Sports Authority of India, claims that” the Mudhol Hound is the area’s most well-known attraction (SAI). The wrestlers in the city are the next best thing,” he continues.
It’s a cute small town. The majority of residents are farmers, the Krishna River runs through the city, and wrestlers can be found practically everywhere. It has to do with pride. Numerous young boys and girls can be seen at the garadis (akhadas) every morning, according to N R Narasimha, secretary of the Karnataka Wrestling Federation.
It is uncommon for wrestlers from states other than the three Northern states, lead by Haryana, and Maharashtra, to make the Indian team; it is even more uncommon for them to take home medals. However, gradually, wrestlers from Karnataka are making an effort to overthrow the hegemony, particularly those from the northern region of the state, from the Bagalkot district, where Mudhol is located, to Dharwad and Belgaum.
Sandeep Kate took home a silver medal from the Commonwealth Championship in 2016. Arjun Halakurki, who won the national championship gold three years later, was the first wrestler from the state to do so since 1995. The Greco-Roman wrestler took home a bronze medal from the Asian Championship earlier this year.
Featured Image: hindiquint.com
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