Dangal motivates wrestlers, sees rise in competitions

A jam-packed audience on Sunday saw female and male wrestlers fighting for the title in the ‘Dangal’ held for the first time in Vasai Taluka of Palghar District.  The competition ‘Dangal’ was organised by Chhatrapati Shahu Pratishthan Shahuwadi, Kolhapur at the Nalasopara ground.

With civic polls round the corner, politicians are organising the mud wrestling competitions in large numbers. Wrestlers, who participated in the event, revealed that after the release of the Aamir Khan starrer Dangal, the number of competitions have increased.

Priya Kawale, 20, a resident of Andheri East, who represented the state and the country in mud wrestling says, “Since the release of the movie (Dangal), more girls are participating in competitions, and similarly, we have seen that many such competitions are taking place in and around the city.”

Supriya Mishra, 14, a national and state level medallist for boxing and wrestling reveals that wrestling for women has always been difficult. “I made sure that my hair is trimmed like boys but my family members supported me throughout and especially after watching the Dangal, my father has started encouraging me more. I aim to get a gold medal for my country in the Olympics,” said Mishra.

With Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections round the corner, the wrestling coaches in the city are busy holding the practise sessions on early mornings and later taking their students to the competitions. “We have a tight schedule for the next two months as with elections more politicians are contacting us to bring female wrestlers for the matches,” said Balaji Rathod, 40, from Kamgar Kalyan Akhada in Gundivali Kendra in Andheri East.