Shahjalal Boli wins 114th edition of Jabbarer Boli Khela

After a seven-minute contest of muscle power and tactics, Shahjalal Boli won the title of the 114th edition of Jabbarer Boli Khela by beating Tarequl Islam Jibon (Jibon Boli) in the final round.

It was a moment of revenge for Shahjalal, who was defeated by Jibon last year.

The historical wrestling competition was held at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city this afternoon, reports our Chattogram correspondent.

Photo: Star

Several thousand enthusiastic people gathered at the Laldighi Maidan this afternoon to enjoy the historic competition.

Abdul Jabbar Saudagar, a merchant from Badarpati in Chattogram city, started this wrestling competition at Laldighi Maidan on Baishakh 12 in Bangla 1316 (1909 AD). His aim was to prepare the youth for the anti-British movement by keeping them physically fit.

Abdul Jabbar Smriti Boli Khela O Boishakhi Mela Udjapon Parishad organises the wrestling competition along with a three-day fair every year.

Today, the tournament began at 4:00pm with the participation of 60 contestants out of 100 registered wrestlers. Of them, Jibon and Shahjalal managed to reach the final.

The final match began at 5:25pm with an astounding display of force and skills as both the contestants tried hard to slam each other's back to the ground.

While Shahjalal was offensive from the beginning, Jibon played defensive throughout the fight and played a waiting game to get his opponent exhausted.

At one stage, Jibon seemed to be physically unwell and finally, he conceded defeat.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, also the chief guest of the event, distributed the winning trophy and prize-money among the winners.

The champion got Tk 30,000, runner-up got Tk 20,000, third position holder got Tk 10,000 and fourth position holder got Tk 6,000 as prize-money, said Jahahar Lal Hazari, CCC ward councilor and chairman of the orgnising committee.