Maharashtra Kesari

Maharashtra Kesari (transl. "Lion of Maharashtra" in Sanskrit) is an Indian-style wrestling championship, established in 1854 in Maharashtra, India. It is organized by the Maharashtra Kustigir Parishad.

Prize

Cash prize was awarded to the winner since the start. But since 1982, initiated by wrestler Mamasaheb Mohol, the winner was permanently awarded with a silver mace weighing 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb). As of 2008 the winner received a silver mace and a cash prize of ₹51,000 (US$600). In addition, Government of Maharashtra also provided honorary sum amount to the title holders above age 50. Until 2012, to be eligible for this amount, the title holder's annual income had to be less than₹40,000 (US$470). In 2015, the cash prize was raised to ₹1 lakh (US$1,200).

The winners are also eligible to apply for government jobs under sports quota.

Records

Maharashtra Kesari is a wrestling competition in the state of Maharashtra . This competition started in the year 1961. After India gained independence, the first Maharashtra Champion competition was held in 1953. At that time, the famous wrestler Tukaram Nanasaheb Phalke of Nagarkar Talmi in Pune defeated Gogachach Siddhapa, a big wrestler from Mumbai mill workers, in just two minutes on the Joli Insa. Tukaram Phalke was awarded the Maharashtra Champion (Kesari) trophy.

Maharashtra Kesari 1961- present

Maharashtra State Kustigir Parishad, established by Wrestling Maharshi Mamasaheb Mohol, has been organizing the highest level 'Maharashtra Kesari' wrestling competition in the state for the last six-seven decades. The aim of this competition is to make wrestling evolve, to make good wrestlers out of the region and help them shine at the country and world level. Maharashtra Kesari is being held in the clay and matt divisions. In this, the winner wrestler from the clay division open category and the winner wrestler from the mattress division open category will fight the final on Matt as per international standards, and the winner of this final fight is declared as 'Maharashtra Kesari' and the honorary mace of Maharashtra Kesari is awarded.