New Zealand's Kerala community came together at Auckland's Manukau Tennis Centre for a spirited tug-of-war competition on Saturday.
Tug-of-war, also known as vadam vali, is a traditional sport with deep roots in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
The competition in South Auckland brought the Kerala community together for the first time at a national level. Previous tournaments had been held in regional centres.
Tug-of-war is an athletic contest in which two teams at opposite ends of a rope try to drag the other across a centre line.
Auckland's Thekkans defeated Brisbane Sevens from Australia in the final. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Auckland-based Thekkans won the competition by defeating Brisbane Sevens from Australia in the final.
Titled Mamankam 2024, the competition was organized by Auckland Malayali Samajam and featured more than 150 players across 15 teams from New Zealand and Australia.
"This is the first time we are hosting a vadam vali competition here in Auckland, and it is the biggest ever," said Robin Babu, president of Auckland Malayali Samajam.
Traditionally celebrated around the harvest festival Onam, tug-of-war had become increasingly popular in New Zealand, Babu said.
Teams travelled from Whangārei, Auckland, Hamilton, Nelson, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Christchurch to compete in the tournament.
Additionally, a team from Australia travelled across the ditch to battle for the trophy.
Robin Babu is the president of Auckland Malayali Samajam. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
"We expected more teams from Australia, but unfortunately, some of the team members had visa delays," Babu said.
Babu said the event also featured food stalls offering traditional southern Indian and Kerala cuisine for the community to enjoy.
Although the origins of tug-of-war are uncertain, the sport was believed to trace its roots back to ancient India, Greece, Egypt and China.
Tug-of-war appeared in five Olympic Games from 1900 until 1920, with team sizes ranging from five to eight members.
Great Britain was the world leader in the event, winning two gold medals, two silvers and a bronze.
Tug-of-war was once a popular sport in rural New Zealand, but interest has declined over the years. RNZ reported in 2020 that only two clubs were left - Te Awamutu and Hastings.
Arun Kalluparampil, captain of Brisbane Sevens Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Arun Kalluparampil, captain of Brisbane Sevens, has competed in the sport since 2011.
"The current team was formed in 2016, and we've managed to win 14 championships," Kalluparampil said. "Luckily, we haven't lost any contest in the past couple of years."
He said competition was fierce in Australia, with multiple national competitions held every year.
"I can see that the sport is being picked up by many here in New Zealand," he said.
Mebin John, who has been competing for two years, agreed.
"The interest in the sport is growing here," he said.
Fifteen teams from New Zealand and Australia competed in one of the country's largest tug-of-war competitions on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
John, who is also the secretary of the Auckland Malayali Samajam, said his West Auckland team, the Western Knights, practiced every day leading up to the competition.
"We've had tug-of-war teams since 2013, but only now has it gone professional, thanks to increasing support and interest from the Kerala community," John said.
He extended an invitation to the wider Kiwi community to participate in future competitions.
"Everyone is welcome to join us," John said.