ગુજરાતી
Ahmedabad, November 3, 2026
There are more than 300 wrestlers in Okhamandal, Bardi and Barda areas. Every year a historical wrestling fair is organized in Shivrajpur village of Devbhoomi Dwarka district.
Bhadravi performs tricks on the auspicious day of Poonam.
This wrestling fair has been organized at the Dargah of Hazrat Jakupir Dada in Shivrajpur village for more than 400 years, which is a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.
According to local beliefs, the tradition of wrestling in these areas is considered to be as old as the Mahabharata period.
A large number of people also participate in the traditional wrestling fair held on the day of Shravan Amavasya in Pindara village of Kalyanpur taluka.
Thousands of sports lovers come from far and wide to watch this exciting battle of maneuver and agility. This wrestling ground is not only a display of strength, but is also a center for unique sports.
In ancient times, such wrestling fairs were organized by kings and maharajas for the purpose of inculcating valor, exercise and maintaining fitness among the youth. The best performing wrestlers were given important positions in the state.
It gives an inspiring message to the youth to turn towards field sports, discipline and healthy lifestyle. In the scenes of Shivrajpur, wrestlers trying out tricks in the arena, organizers applauding the winners and the public enjoying the thrill of wrestling can be clearly seen. It is becoming a big center of attraction in the public life of Saurashtra.
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Gujarat has traditionally not had a big history of wrestling like Haryana or Punjab, but in the last few years, many talented wrestlers from Gujarat have made Gujarat famous at the national and international level. New players are coming forward rapidly.
Famous wrestlers of Gujarat
Bhavika Patel
Bhavika Patel from Ahmedabad is one of the most successful female wrestlers of Gujarat. He created history by winning the silver medal in the Senior National Wrestling Championship – Senior National Competition held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, she is the first female wrestler from Gujarat to represent India in the Under-23 World Championship. He also won the silver medal in the 57 kg category in the 38th National Games. Bhavika is the first wrestler to win a medal in the Senior National Competition in Wrestling in Gujarat. It is a unique thing that a girl from Gujarat was able to reach the national team. Compared to states like Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, Gujarat does not have any special tradition of wrestling. Whenever Bhavika participates in any national level competition, people look at her with surprise. Selection for Commonwealth: Bhavika has also been selected for the Commonwealth Games to be played in South Africa. However, due to the new Omicron variant, the Commonwealth Games to be played in South Africa from December 2 to December 6, 2026, have been postponed for the time being. Age requirement is 20 years. However, Bhavika was only 19 years old. Bhavika has won around 30 medals in wrestling so far. He has won 6 gold medals at the state level.
Bhavika Patel has so far won silver and bronze medals in Khelo India. He has won a bronze medal in Junior Cadets and has also won a bronze medal in Beach Wrestling. Bhavika has so far won 8 to 9 medals at the national level.
In 2017, he won a silver medal in the ‘School Games’ – this success further increased his hunger to win. However, his most important medals came at the senior level.
In 2022, he won the silver medal in the National Championship held in Gonda and then the bronze medal in the National Games held in Goa. This year, he won another silver medal in the Under-23 National Competition.
Due to his performance in these championships, he was called for the selection trials for the U-23 World Championship, which he won and secured his place in the competition in Tirana. It is very difficult to defeat him.
common family
She is a girl from a common family. Bhavika’s father runs a flour mill in Ahmedabad. Seeing his daughter’s passion for wrestling, the father is working hard to make her a top-level athlete.
father
Jagram Patel was interested in wrestling since childhood. He was so skilled that he even got admission in the ‘Sports Authority of India’ center in Gandhinagar, but he left the sport at the age of 22. He says, “There was not much scope in this sport at that time, so he joined this business.
Jagram Patel started a flour mill in front of his house in Amraiwadi. In the evening, he used to train children interested in wrestling in a nearby school. When Bhavika was nine years old, she decided to join this training class. She remained continuously involved in it. After training with her father for a few years, Bhavika developed the habit of working hard. Her father understood that now Bhavika would not be able to move forward under his guidance.
Then he got Bhavika admitted in the wrestling academy of ‘Sports Authority of Gujarat’ in Nadiad.
They have to bear the expenses of sports kit and nutrition themselves. The cost of shoes is Rs 5 to 10 thousand and two-three such pairs are required every year.
Father gives whatever he wants. Father’s monthly income is only around Rs 15 thousand. He also has four brothers and sisters.
She has always tried her best to fulfill her dreams. She borrows money or cuts expenses.
Occasionally, her father’s friends provide her with kits and other necessary equipment—something that wasn’t possible before the U-23 World Championships.
While she was training in wrestling in Ahmedabad, Ramesh Kumar Ola—a coach with the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) in Nadiad—spotted her talent and decided to begin training her in 2016. Here, every aspect of her development is looked after, from her nutrition to her physical fitness.
Bhavika learns new wrestling techniques very quickly. She is disciplined, follows instructions well, and possesses a strong drive to reach the highest levels of the sport.
There were many hurdles along the way. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coach Ramesh Kumar continued to provide Bhavika with personal training for two years.
Bhavika hopes to perform well at the U-23 World Championships. Her goal is to become the first wrestler from Gujarat to compete in the Olympics. Even before stepping into her first wrestling competition in Tirana, Bhavika Patel has already begun to make history.
She had purchased a new pair of wrestling shoes, but they ended up tearing. Lacking the 8,000 rupees needed for a replacement, she simply applied tape to the shoes.
The Coach
Bhavika met Coach Ramesh Kumar, who hails from Bhiwani, Haryana. Ramesh Kumar was a national-level wrestler and a silver medalist at the Inter-University Championships. He had a keen interest in coaching; after completing his diploma at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, he was searching for a job when he secured a position in Gujarat.
In the beginning, it was very difficult to keep Bhavika calm. She had a temperament much like a young bull—she would charge at everyone. During sparring (training bouts), she would become so intense that her face would often show visible signs of injury, such as swelling or lumps. She never wavered from her goal.
Driven by her tenacity and firm resolve, Bhavika has performed even better than what people expected of her.
While she has made a name for herself, the lack of other wrestlers like her makes it difficult to find suitable training partners; consequently, she has to train with men.
The Sports Authority of Gujarat covered her hostel expenses and also paid for two knee surgeries she underwent in 2022.
Bhavika possesses great motivation and courage. Financial support would be a significant boost for her. If her financial needs are met, she could emerge as a top contender for the Indian team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
She currently competes in the women’s 55 kg category, but aims to participate in the 53 kg category at the senior (Olympic) level in the future.
With sincerity and consistent hard work, she is sure to achieve great results.
Hetal Dave
Hetal Dave, who has roots in both Mumbai and Gujarat, is India’s first female sumo wrestler. She has brought laurels to both India and Gujarat on the global stage in international sumo wrestling.
Gopi Bakhalia
She delivered an impressive performance at the 38th National Games, winning a bronze medal in the 62 kg category.
Heena Khalifa
Representing Gujarat at the national level, Heena won a bronze medal in the 53 kg category at the National Games.
Aman Jat
In men’s freestyle wrestling, Aman Jat brought honor to the state of Gujarat by winning a bronze medal in the 86 kg weight category. Dhoraji
Young wrestlers from rural and semi-urban areas, such as those from the Unique School of Dhoraji, are making their mark. During a wrestling competition held at K.O. Shah College in Dhoraji, wrestlers from the local Unique School brought laurels to their institution by showcasing exceptional skills and techniques.
Ayush Rakeshbhai Chavda, a student at the school, competed in the U-17 (Under-17) age group—specifically in the 51–55 kg weight category—where he defeated his opponents to secure the top spot (gold medal).
Hit Deepakbhai Sojitra also achieved success, competing in the 51–57 kg open weight category; amidst stiff competition, he managed to secure the third position, earning a bronze medal.
Akhadas and the Rath Yatra
In cities like Ahmedabad, traditional akhadas (wrestling arenas/gymnasiums) remain active to this day. During the Jagannath Rath Yatra, held on the occasion of Ashadhi Beej, there is a long-standing tradition for local wrestlers to demonstrate their akhada skills and wrestling maneuvers. The procession features seven akhadas, which follow a designated 7-kilometer route.
Akhadas in Gujarat
Wrestling (kushti) is a traditional Indian sport with deep historical roots. In various Indian states, wrestlers (mallas or pehalwans) were patronized and supported by the affluent.
An akhada was also a term for a group of sadhus (ascetics) who would protect the nation and their faith during challenging times or against threats to the established social and moral order (raj dharma). These sadhus were trained in the use of weapons and martial arts. The term also refers to the grounds used by wrestlers to enhance their physical fitness, where they would practice various techniques. It is believed that the modern word “gym” may have evolved from this concept of the akhada. The Kumbh Mela—the largest gathering of sadhus (ascetics) in India—brings together various akhadas (monastic orders/groups) of sadhus from across the country. In Gujarat, particularly in Junagadh, one can find these akhadas. During the Shivratri fair, these sadhus engage in various forms of physical exercise.
An akhada is essentially a sports ground for wrestling. Centered around the practice of wrestling, these grounds are equipped with facilities for various physical exercises and training, such as dand-baithak (push-ups and squats), the use of magdal (wooden clubs), weightlifting, mallakhamb (gymnastics on a pole or rope), lathi (stick fighting), and lezim (a traditional exercise involving a rhythmic, chain-linked instrument).
They also incorporate the use of weapons like dand-patta (gauntlet-swords), swords, spears, and jamaiya (a type of dagger or pike).
Activities with military applications were also integrated into these traditions, alongside various indigenous sports.
In addition, these include exercises such as Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), Dand-Baithak (push-ups and squats), Mallakhamb, wrestling, leg-strengthening exercises, Gada (mace) swinging, non-violent combat, weightlifting, and Lathi (stick) fighting.
During the British Raj, community centers were established to provide training in various indigenous sports and physical exercises.
Conversely, Western sports like cricket, tennis, and football gradually gained immense popularity, leading to a sense of disdain among the educated class toward indigenous sports and exercises.
Several institutions—such as the Gujarat Gymnasium Pracharak Mandal in Ahmedabad, the Kathiawar Gymnasium Pracharak Mandal in Bhavnagar, the Jumma Dada Gymnasium in Vadodara, the Narayan Guru Training School in Vadodara, and the Vasant Gymnasium in Ahmedabad—made significant contributions to the promotion of physical exercise and sports.
Key figures who pioneered akhada (traditional gymnasium) activities in Gujarat include Manikrao-ji, Dattatraya Majumdar, and the ‘Purani brothers’—Chhotubhai Purani and Ambubhai Purani—in Vadodara; as well as Prithvi Singh Azad, Bahauddin Shaikh, and Chhotubhai Mankad in the Saurashtra region.
Inspired by Sri Aurobindo, the Purani brothers initiated akhada activities in Vadodara in 1909. These initiatives spread throughout Gujarat, fostering a generation of dedicated youth who went on to play a vital role in the freedom struggle—including the 1942 movement—under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (google transleted from gujarati)
