The sand of the traditional pit may be where legends are born in Maharashtra, but the mat is where Olympic dreams are realized. Speaking at an interaction session organized by the Pune Union of Working Journalists on Monday, double Maharashtra Kesari winner Harshvardhan Sadgir issued a clear call to action for the state's wrestling ecosystem: prioritize mat wrestling to bridge the gap to international excellence.
Accompanied by his coach and Arjuna Awardee Kaka Pawar, Sadgir reflected on his journey from a resource-scarce village to the pinnacle of state wrestling, while outlining a roadmap that leads toward the Commonwealth Games and the Hind Kesari title.
Sadgir, who first clinched the prestigious title in 2020 before repeating the feat at the 68th Maharashtra Kesari competition, noted that while "mud wrestling" is culturally iconic, it lacks the technical speed required for the modern global stage.
In Maharashtra, wrestling is synonymous with the loincloth and the mud pit. However, mat wrestling is faster and more physically demanding. To reach the international level or the Olympics, priority must be given to mat wrestling.Harshvardhan Sadgir
The session also touched upon a previously sensitive topic: Sadgir’s professional future. After his first title, Sadgir had expressed public frustration over being overlooked for a sports officer position in the Nashik Municipal Corporation. While he had emotionally threatened to quit wrestling and refuse any future job offers, he has now signaled a more pragmatic stance.
Stance: Sadgir confirmed he is now ready to accept a government opportunity if offered, acknowledging the stability it provides for an athlete's international preparations.
Goal: Beyond personal employment, he dreams of starting his own gym to mentor the next generation of disciplined, dedicated wrestlers.
Coach Kaka Pawar provided a sobering look at why Maharashtra is currently trailing behind states like Haryana in terms of Olympic output. He blamed administrative "politics" and organizational disputes for stagnating the progress of talented athletes.
Policy reform: Pawar urged the government to involve the state's existing high-ranking wrestler-officers (currently three at the Deputy Superintendent level) to formulate concrete development policies.
Mat skills: He emphasized that strengthening "mat skills" is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Maharashtra’s wrestlers aren't just local heroes, but global contenders.
Humble beginnings: Sadgir hails from a village still struggling with basic water and electricity, citing his grandfather as his primary inspiration.
Consistency is key: His advice to new wrestlers is simple: dedication and discipline are the only guarantees of success in any sport.
Cultural shift: While mud wrestling remains a huge draw for local crowds, the shift to the mat is the "need of the hour" for competitive growth.