The Sangram Singh Foundation announced the KD Jadhav Memorial International Kushti Championship in Mumbai here on Friday, to pay tribute to India’s first individual Olympic medallist.
(L-R) Coach Bhupesh K, Payal Rohatgi, Actress, Ranjit Jadhav (Son on Lagendary KD Jadhav) Sangram Singh (Promoter, KD Jadhav Kusti Championship_ Subhash Jewria (Owner, Crytoinbox) & Col R.Singh, Sangram Singh Foundation
Sangram, a World Pro Wrestling and two-time Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion, will even return to the mat after a year-long gap in his ambitious plan to change the face of wrestling in the country.
“KD saheb is a true legend, my one and only idol. And this event provides me a good opportunity to pay a tribute to him,” Sangram said at the press conference “We will give opportunities to young, talented wrestlers in the country while at the same time keep our legend’s memory alive. We are aiming to not only improve the profile of the sport but also unearth more and more talents from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities,” he added.
Flanked by 2010 Commonwealth Gold Medallist Mr Narsingh Yadav, the guest of honour and India’s first Olympic Bronze Medallist KD Jadhav’s son Mr Ranjit Jadhav and Legendary Director Mr Shyam Benegal and Indian Actress and Former Miss Tourism World Ms Payal Rohatgi present on the occasion and shared the vision.
“This is a truly momentous day for Indian sport. There couldn’t have been a better way to pay our respects to our country’s first Olympic medallist,” wrestler Narshing Yadav said. “I have always been an admirer of KD Jadhav”he added.
Guest of Honour Mr Ranjit Jadhav applauding the initiatives of the Foundation said; “My father has inspired the generation, making the impossible dream possible. I wish through this Championship the youth will get a platform to realize their dream.”
The memorial championship will take place in December here in Mumbai. Sangram Singh has lined up an exciting five-card, with he himself featuring in the day’s most exciting bout.
True to his word, he will offer the stage to upcoming wrestlers; The championship will adhere to professional boxing norms, with six rounds of three minutes each. Female wrestlers will also be seen in action to make it an exciting day for the fans.
The championship sponsor, Subhash Jewria (owner of Crytoinbox), said that he was delighted to be part of the event. “I and my company believe that this could be a game-changer for wrestling in the country. We are really happy to play a part in it,” he said.
“We have many talented wrestlers and we will provide them the platform to help graduate to the next level,” Sangram added. “The championship will be a complete package… of action and entertainment and we are quite sure that the fans will love every bit of it,” he promised.
It will be broadcast Live on DD Sports in the prime time slot (6 PM to 9 PM). Apart from India, it will telecast Live in 25 other countries as well.