JAMMU: Benia of J and K Police clinched the 73rd Annual Smailpur Kesari Dangal title outplaying Major of Ludhiana in Punjab in the title bout of the event, organised by Smailpur Dangal Committee in association with J and K Indian Style Wrestling Association at Smailpur.
Winner of the title bout, Benia was presented with a motor bike while runners-up, Major was given Rs 15,000 cash prize by Chief Guest, former Minister, Surjit Singh Slathia.
President J and K Indian Style Wrestling Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma presided.
Tehsildar, Mohammad Majid Choudhary and DySP, S Salaria were Guests of Honour. Prominent among those present were Prithvi Raj Sharma, Shiv Dev Singh, Yogashwar Singh and Bansi Lal Tidyal.
In all, 73 bouts were decided in the day-long Dangal. The second main bout went to Farooq of Sarore, who defeated Sumit of Ludhiana while third bout between Kaka of RS Pura and Malkiat of Ajnala ended in a walkover.
Members and technical officials who helped in the conduct of this Dangal included Sarpanch Balwant Singh Manhas, Baba Tarseem Lal, Yaswant Singh, Rattan Singh Manhas, Sham Singh, Yeshbir Singh, Vishal Katal, Raj Singh Panch, Dillawar Singh Panch, Prem Kumar, Murli Dhar, Gandarb Singh, Subash Singh, Janak Singh, Jaipaul, Mohammad Fareed and Sarpanch Rehmat Ali.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Yeshbir Singh Katal while Sarpanch Balwant Singh Manhas welcomed the gathering.
The vote of thanks was presented by Shiv Kumar Sharma. He told the spectators that the event is organised every year in memory of Jai Baba Santokh Nathji.
Other Results: Parhald of Kalakote beat Anit of RS Pura, Bobari of Sarore defeated Amir Khan of Bajrangi Akhara, Maam Hussian of RS Pura outplayed Asif Ali of Bajrangi Akhara, Murad Ali of Domana trounced Sethi of RS Pura and Dillar Khan of J and K Police downed Kuldeep of Ajnala (Punjab). Bout played between Mohammad Sadiq of Domana Akhara and Kaka of Pathankot ended in a draw.