Mohammad Shorif, known across the wrestling community as “Bagha Shorif”, has claimed a historic third consecutive title at the 117th edition of Jabbar’s Boli Khela in Chattogram, cementing his status as the dominant force in one of Bangladesh’s oldest and most beloved traditional sports.
In a fiercely contested final at the historic Laldighi Maidan on Saturday, Shorif overcame Md Rashed of Chandina, Cumilla, in a gruelling 25-minute bout before pinning his opponent to the ground to seal victory. Rashed, also from Cumilla, took the runner-up prize.
Shorif received the championship trophy from Abu Sufian, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-9, at a ceremony attended by officials, organisers, and thousands of spectators who had packed the venue from the early hours of the morning.
The competition drew more than a hundred wrestlers from across the country, with bouts fought on a traditional earthen arena under established rules that have remained largely unchanged since the event’s founding. Hasan Mohammad Showkat Ali, Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, also addressed the gathering.
Speaking as chief guest, Abu Sufian reaffirmed the city’s commitment to preserving the contest’s heritage, noting that the venue has been officially named after its founder, Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar. He pledged improved facilities for participants and called for stronger government support to sustain and grow the event in the years ahead.
Jabbar’s Boli Khela dates to 1909, when businessman Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar introduced the wrestling competition to Chattogram. Over more than a century, it has grown into a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity and one of the country’s most celebrated traditional sporting occasions.
The day’s festivities extended well beyond the wrestling arena. A sprawling Baishakhi fair, stretching several kilometres around Laldighi Maidan, drew crowds from across the region with stalls offering handicrafts, local goods, and traditional cuisine. Law enforcement agencies confirmed robust security arrangements to ensure the smooth running of both the competition and the fair.
