Bharatpur: Located 180 km from the state's capital - Jaipur, the city of Bharatpur is known for its wrestling and the rings are made in the crop field for practice. Inspired from world wrestling champions Geeta-Babita Phogat, Kesari and his four daughters persuaded to join wrestling breaking all traditions and taboos.
Kesari, the resident of Uncha Gaon in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district defied convention and brought up his daughters to compete for a good slice of the sports pie.
His daughters are not only good in wrestling but also excelled in Judo, Kabaddi, Cross Country Run and Weightlifting.
While speaking to ETV Bharat, Kesari said, "When my daughter Rakhi and Vasudha were young, I initiated the practice sessions of wrestling with them seeing their potential. "
"I left farming and transformed my farm into a wrestling ground for them to practice."
They went to school and with the help of school's sports teacher, Niranjan Singh who trains the daughters in the sport, they won many competitions in wrestling, judo and weight lifting at the state and national levels.
After that, their two younger sisters Madhavi and Tulsi also joined them in the wrestling ring. Madhavi also won a gold medal in wrestling at the state level. At the same time, Tulsi has participated in many cross country and state-level wrestling competitions at the national level.
Despite winning competitions they were taunted and threatened, and in at least one incident both he and his daughters were stoned and chased by the villagers when they went to the wrestling pit in a village tournament, but they kept on practising harder and harder.
"I was wrestling for a long time now, but I got inspired only after watching a movie, Dangal. My passion for wrestling and winning medals for the country increased, just like Babita and Geeta in the movie," says Rakhi, Kesari's elder daughter.
"But due to lack of proper quality and infrastructure, I find it difficult", she added.
Kesari said, "I am not capable to train my kids in wrestling due to poor financial conditions. Wrestlers need money for ghee, milk almonds, fruits and more. "
He said that if they are provided with better facilities, then they can also brighten the name of the country.
Achievements of four wrestling sisters:
Rakhi has won gold in weightlifting at the national level and has won the gold medal in wrestling, judo and weight lifting at the state level.
Also, in the wrestling competition held in 2014, she acquired the title of Rajasthan Kesari, a state-level wrestling competition.
Rakhi has also been selected for the post of Physical Teacher (PT).
Vasudha has won gold medals in wrestling, judo and kabaddi competition at the state level.
Younger sisters Madhavi and Tulsi also participate in wrestling, judo, kabaddi and cross country race competitions like their elder sisters.
Madhavi has won the gold medal at the state level wrestling competition while Tulsi has participated in cross country races and wrestling at the national level.
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