Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 29: A four-year-old Kambala speed record was spectacularly shattered at the Mangaluru Rama–Lakshmana Jodukere Kambala, with buffaloes owned by 80 Badagabettu Kallapapu Shreek Sandeep Shetty clocking an all-time fastest run in the Neegilu senior category final.
In the concluding race of this season’s Mangaluru Kambala, the pair of buffaloes, Gandhi Maidan Santu and Surathkal Pancha, completed the 125-metre track in just 10.87 seconds, setting a new all-time record. This translates to an exceptional 100-metre timing of 8.69 seconds, making it the fastest run ever recorded in the history of Kambala.
The record-breaking run was guided by jockey Mastikatte Swaroop from Kundabarandadi. Notably, the same pair had earlier set the season’s fastest timing in the semi-final race by finishing the 125 metres in 11.06 seconds, before surpassing all previous benchmarks in the final.
The earlier all-time record was set in 2021 at the Kakyapadavu Kambala, when buffaloes owned by Mijaru Prasad Nilaya Shakti Prasad completed the 125-metre run in 10.95 seconds. That record, which had stood for four years, was decisively broken at Mangaluru.
The Mangaluru Kambala witnessed participation from 141 pairs of buffaloes across six categories — Kanehalage, Addahalage, Haggada senior, Neegilu senior, Haggada junior and Neegilu junior — reflecting the scale and competitive spirit of the prestigious coastal sport.
Category highlights
In the Neegilu senior category, the first place went to 80 Badagabettu Kallapapu Shreek Sandeep Shetty with the record time of 10.87 seconds, while the second place was secured by Mangaluru Marakada Bayadi Mane Santh Sanjay Shetty with a timing of 11.44 seconds.
Other categories also saw keen competition, with notable performances in Haggada senior, Haggada junior, Addahalage and Neegilu junior divisions, adding to the excitement of the event.
The historic run at Mangaluru has once again reaffirmed Kambala’s legacy as a sport of speed, skill and tradition, thrilling enthusiasts and setting a new benchmark for future competitions.