Harshvardhan Sadgir will face Shailesh Shelke in the final of 2019-20 Maharashtra Kesari Kusti on January 07, 2019 (Tuesday). The 2019-20 Maharashtra Kesari Kusti, which is also the 63rd edition of the competition, has thrown up some surprising results through the course of the tournament with the semi-final exits of defending champion Bala Rafique Sheikh and last season’s finalist Abhijit Katke getting knocked out from the semi-finals. The final promises to be equally intense and competitive with both Harshvardhan Sadgir and Shailesh Shelke vying for the title. Both the finalists, i.e., Harshvardhan Sadgir and Shailesh Shelke have both trained under the tutelage of Arjunvir award winner Kaka Pawar. Maharashtra Kesari Kusti 2020 Schedule: Date & Full Timetable of Wrestling Championship's 63rd Edition in Pune.

Shailesh Shelke won the Soil Division of the competition to make the final of the Maharashtra Kesari Kusti tournament, while Harshvardhan Sadgir came through to the final after winning the Gadda Division. Shelke beat Mouli Jamdade of Solapur in the final of the Soil Division to reach the final, while Harshvardhan Sadgir overcame last year’s runner-up Abhijit Katke in his respective division to reach the tournament final.

Jamdade had shocked defending champion Bala Rafique Sheikh of Buldhana in the semi-finals to set up a final date with Shailesh Shelke in the Soil Division. Shelke had overcome Ganesh Jagtap from Hingoli in the semis before defeating Jamdade to reach the final. In the semi-finals of the Mat Division, Harshvardhan met Sachin Yelver while last year's losing finalist Abhijit Katek faced Sagar Birajdar. Abhijit saw-off Sagar but lost to Harshvardhan in the final of the Mat Division to crush out of the tournament.

Among the two finalists, Harshvardhan Sadgir hails from Nashik, while Shailesh Shelke is from Latur. Interestingly both the finalist have trained under Kaka Pawar Talim. The Maharashtra Kesari Kusti final will be played at the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Pune. The winner of this year’s Maharashtra Kesari Kusti final will be awarded a silver mace.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 07, 2020 02:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).