Didar retires after regaining title
Media: The Independent
Original URL :Didar retires after regaining title
E-paper URL: Didar retires after regaining title
Thirteen-time champion of Jabber-er Bolikhela, Didar Boli, who had lost his crown to Mohammad Shamsu last year, claimed it for the 14th time on Monday.
It was sweet revenge for the wrestler from Ramu of Cox’s Bazaar district, as he beat Shamsu of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazaar after 17 minutes of a very tough contest at the historic Laldighi Maidan.
This was the final time the Jabber-er Bolikhela crowd saw of the famed champion, who holds the record for the highest number of titles. Didar announced he will not contest from next year.
Over 17 years, Didar remained unbeatable. He became champion 14 times, giving opportunities to others only in 2012 and 2013 when he could not participate in
the contest. He won it jointly with others five times. Even in 2016, he had remained unbeaten after 32 minutes of a very tough contest. But the referee declared Shamsu as the champion for overall performance.
This year’s competition started at 4pm at Laldighi Maidan. Over 150 ‘bolis’ (wrestlers) aged between 15 and 70 took part in the 108th ‘bolikhela’. They came from different parts of the country, mainly from rural areas.
The contest was part of the three-day Baishakhi Mela, which began on Sunday and ended yesterday. It usually begins on the 12th day of the Bangla month of Baishakh. The fair is held over a 2-km area with stalls selling local handicrafts and household items.
The main attraction, however, is ‘bolikhela’. Chittagong mayor AJM Nasir Uddin inaugurated the ‘bolikhela’ as the chief guest. The additional commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, Masoodul Hasan, was present as a special guest.
