Yashwant Satara dominates first week

The unbeaten franchise continues to lead standings after 4-2 win over Mumbai Astra. Aware led Puneri Ustad outplay Kolhapuri Mavale to keep pressure on table toppers.

Yashwant Satara capped off a dominating week in the Maharashtra Kusti League with 4-2 win over Mumbai Astra at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. Kautuk Dafale’s brilliance changed the momentum for the winners after both sides were tied 2-2 at one point of time. Earlier, Rahul Aware led Puneri Ustad to comprehensive 6-0 win over Kolhapuri Mavale.

The Yashwant Satara team has been unbeaten in the League, while for Mumbai it was first loss in the competition. Utkarsh Kale annihilated Swapnil Shelar 10-0 in the first bout. Mumbai’s in-form wrestler Lalita Sherawat got Mumbai on track with a thrilling 7-6 win over Anshu Malik.

Skipper Ranjeet Nalawade made it 2-1 for Astra’s with 8-5 win over Akshay Chorge. But Vikram Kurhade made it level again with 7-4 win over Akshay Hirgude. Dafale later turned the tide in favour of Yashwant Satara with 16-0 win over Akshay Kaware. Adarsh Gund wrapped it up with 5-2 win over Akshay Shinde as the Satara side registered 4-2 win over Mumbai Astra’s.

Puneri Ustad kept the pressure on table toppers after authoritative win over Kolhapur team who are yet to win a point in the tournament. Vinod Kumar gave hosts brilliant start with 16-0 win over Ajit Shelke in the first bout. After that Puneri wrestlers were all over their opponents and cruised to 6-0 win. Aware prevailed after Raosaheb Ghorpade of Kolhapuri Mavale By Fall.

Vidarbhache Wagh and Veer Marathwada are occupying mostly the fourth and fifth spots in the standings with Kolhapuri Mavale’s at the bottom.

The League started by Zee Talkies on November 2 with the aim to revive Wrestling glory in state, witnessed action packed week between six teams.

All the matches played in the League are in accordance with the rules of Wrestling Federation of India, according to organisers. There are total 12 bouts divided into two matches of four teams on daily basis. With 50 lakhs as the prize money and various national and international medallists involved with the league, there is the abundant necessary quantity and requisite quality for wrestling to make waves.