Excelsior Sports Correspondent
REASI, June 14: A young wrestler Vipan of Heri Akhara Raiwal, district Sonipat, Haryana, clinched the 14th Annual Panya (Akhnoor) Dangal title by defeating seasoned wrestler Benia Min of J&K Police in the high-voltage first malli bout lasting five minutes. Vipan, an 18-year-old and 12th class student, was honoured with a cash award of Rs 40,000, a traditional Gurj (Gadda) and the prestigious Panya Kesari Patta, while runner-up Benia Min received Rs 30,000.
The mega wrestling event, locally known as Kanta Kushti, was organized by the Panj Peer Dangal Committee Panya (Akhnoor) in collaboration with the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under the guidance of Ram Paul Sharma and Raj Kumar Sharma. Chief guest Shiv Kumar Sharma, President of the Wrestling Association, distributed Rs 3, 95,000 in cash prizes. Guests of honour included Contractor Kuldeep Kumar and Master Ram Paul.
In the 2nd main bout, Narinder of Khanna, Punjab, defeated Irfan of Iran, winning Rs 35,000 while Irfan got Rs 30,000. The 3rd bout saw Cippa of Sonipat beat Rishu of Kathua, winning Rs 15,000 and Rishu Rs 10,000.
Other winners included Gourav of Ajnala, who beat Nadeem of J&K Police Doda (Rs 15,000/Rs 10,000) and Nisar of J&K Police Doda, who defeated Noor of Alamgir, Punjab. Key contributors were Raj Kumar Sharma, Padam Dev Sharma, Kamal Kumar Sharma, Ram Paul Uppal, Ajay Kumar, Chander Mohan, Tarsem Lal Master, Sunil Bali, Ex-Sarpanch Bali Ram, Kuldeep Raj (Shoutu), Sunil Kumar Uppal, Ashok Kumar, and Mulk Raj.
The proceedings were conducted by Kulbir Kohinoor of Chandigarh and Anil Kumar of Reasi. Matches were officiated by Sunny Sharma and Vicky Sharma. Notably, Raj Kumar Sharma of Jalandhar, Punjab, contributed Rs 1,51,000 as financial support to the organizers.
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