Bantwala, December 23: Kambala lover, organizer Vinu Vishwanath Shetty (53) of Kaup died of heart attack during victory celebration at Bantwala on Sunday. 

He came with his buffalos for 'Veera Vikrama' jodukare Kambala held at Hokkadigoli near Siddakatte in the taluk on Saturday. In ‘Hagga Hiriya’ section, his buffalos got first place. But he complained of chest pain on Saturday. As his buffalos was about to win the race, Shetty and his followers were in jubilant mood.

On Sunday, his buffalos won the first place. At the same time, he suffered chest pain again. When he returned home in his car, his followers received the prize. 

After he was diagnosed, a doctor at Siddakatte advised his driver to take him to Mangaluru. But while taking him to Mangaluru, he died on the way to hospital, it is said.

When he was admitted at Thumbay hospital, doctors declared that he was brought dead. This year, his buffalos participated in four Kambala race and got first places, it is said.

Being a hotelier in Mumbai and Dubai, Shetty was a lover of Kambala. His buffalos have got first places in many kambalas. He has built a swimming pool at a cost of lakhs at his home in Padubidre for his buffalos. Being lover of animals, he has built air conditioned rooms for his buffalos.

Shetty is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.