Fanchari, 2018.03.06 (VT) On Sunday, when Neelam Chaudhary returned from Greece with a bronze medal, the villagers who frowned upon her learning wrestling, presented her with a hanuman mace and donations. Neelam’s parents currently live in Delhi, where they run an internet cafe. Neelam traveled to Braj on Sunday, for a program that was organized in her honour by the District Wrestling Association.
Neelam Chaudhary began learning wrestling from her uncle, Janardan Pahelvan, at age 11, but locals frowned upon a female being involved in the sport. The tradition of wrestling in Braj is at least 5000 years old, but is associated with the cowherd boys. International wrestling tournaments for women began in 1987, whereas Men’s Freestyle Wrestling tournaments have been held since 1951.
Neelam had to relocate to Bangalaru for formal training in the sport. She and her cousin Archana are being trained a French coach who believes in training women in wrestling for the purpose of self-defense as well as for sport.
Before travelling to Greece for the World Wrestling Championship, Neelam offered her respects and prayed for success to Bhagavati Ma in Kosi Kalan.
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