Madurai: The Jallikattu competition, one of the traditional symbols of Tamilans, was held today in Avaniyapuram, Madurai, on the occasion of the Pongal festival. A total of 836 bulls and 900 Players competed in the 11 rounds of the tournament.
In the presence of Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister P Moorthy, Madurai District Collector Sangeeta, Madurai Corporation Commissioner Dinesh Kumar and Madurai Municipal Police Commissioner Loganathan, the competitions started at 6.15 am with taking oath by the players and the owners of the bulls.
Three to five players who performed best in each round were selected and a total of 30 players qualified for the final round. GR Karthick, a bullfighter from Tiruparangundram, Madurai, came first after taming a total of 19 bulls in the final round. He was gifted a car worth Rs 8 lakh on behalf of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin.
Similarly, Malaiyandi's bull, which performed very well in the field, won the first prize of a tractor worth Rs.12 lakh on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Also, the best player and bull owner were presented with cows and calves on behalf of Madurai Corporation Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth.