Maharashtra Kesari is a wrestling competition in the state of
Maharashtra . This competition started in the year 1961. After India gained independence, the first Maharashtra Champion competition was held in 1953. At that time, the famous wrestler Tukaram Nanasaheb Phalke of Nagarkar Talmi in
Pune defeated Gogachach Siddhapa, a big wrestler from
Mumbai mill workers, in just two minutes on the Joli Insa. Tukaram Phalke was awarded the Maharashtra Champion (Kesari) trophy.
Maharashtra Kesari 1961- present Maharashtra State Kustigir Parishad, established by Wrestling Maharshi Mamasaheb Mohol, has been organizing the highest level 'Maharashtra Kesari' wrestling competition in the state for the last six-seven decades. The aim of this competition is to make wrestling evolve, to make good wrestlers out of the region and help them shine at the country and world level. Maharashtra Kesari is being held in the clay and matt divisions. In this, the winner wrestler from the clay division open category and the winner
wrestler from the mattress division open category will fight the final on Matt as per international standards, and the winner of this final fight is declared as '
Maharashtra Kesari' and the honorary mace of Maharashtra Kesari is awarded. ==Winners==