Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Dec 2: Kambala athlete Bhaskar Devadiga from Bijoor has been honoured with the prestigious Karnataka Kreeda Ratna award for the year 2022, presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a ceremony held in Bengaluru on Monday evening. The award is conferred by the department of youth empowerment and sports, government of Karnataka, for excellence in sports.

Bhaskar Devadiga, son of Krishnadevadi and Guruvamma of Nandanavana village, is a farmer by profession and has been actively participating in Kambala for over 15 years. A celebrated name in the traditional sport, he has won more than 300 medals in various Kambalas held across the erstwhile Kundapur taluk.

He has also secured over 75 medals in Jodukere Kambala events conducted across the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Bhaskar began his career racing with home-grown buffaloes and now runs for Bakoor Shantharam Shetty’s team and the Thiruvail Guthu of Vamanjoor.

In 2022, he created a record at the Mulki Jodukere Kambala by splashing water to the 6.5-kole and 7.5-kole marks in a single lap under the Kanehalage category, a feat that highlighted his exceptional skill and speed.