Jabbarer Boli Khela: Shahjalal lifts title
In a 22-minute 26-second display of muscle and tactics, Shahjalal Boli yesterday won the title of the 110th edition of Jabbarer Boli Khela, an iconic traditional wrestling competition, held at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city.
This was Shahjalal’s second title. He claimed the trophy from last year’s champion Jibon Boli.
Shahjalal from Cumilla redeemed himself from last year’s runner-up title, conceded to Jibon from Chakaria.
“It was a good fight. Jibon gave his full effort but the result was inevitable,” confidence boomed in the champion’s voice.
The tournament began at 4pm with participation of 62 contestants out of 111 registered wrestlers. Hundreds of spectators cheered the contestants throughout. The final match began at 5:40pm, as both contestants began shedding sweat to pin each other to the ground.
While Shahjalal’s tactic was to turn Jibon upside down the whole time, Jibon played defensive throughout the fight, preferring to stay low to the ground and waiting to tire out Shahjalal.
As neither managed a pin-down after 18 minutes, referees decided to choose the champion based on points.
Though Shahjalal made the first point, his opponent equalised soon. The fight for the final point continued for five minutes, and Shahjalal managed to slam Jibon to the ground to claim the bragging rights.
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