India's traditional Kambala race sees buffaloes sprint through watery trenches in Karnataka.

Participants sprint through a field, which is normally either 132m or 142m, with two buffalo that are tethered together.

Initially, it was about getting the slushy paddy fields ready for sowing - the running buffaloes thoroughly churned the soil but it has since turned into a race.

In the past, the Kambala sport has attracted strong criticism from animal rights groups.

PETA had earlier approached the Karnataka High Court alleging Kambala involves cruelty to animals. The high court agreed and banned the sport, which led to mass outrage.

However, soon after, the state government passed an ordinance or executive order to allow it, subject to some conditions.

This footage was filmed on February 29.

Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in Karnataka. Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Participants sprint through a field, which is normally either 132m or 142m, with two buffalo that are tethered together. Kambala has a century-old history in these parts. Initially, it was about getting the slushy paddy fields ready for sowing — the running buffaloes thoroughly churned the soil. Back then, it was not a race.

Buffaloes and their owners are usually the ultimate stars of Kambala, the traditional slush track buffalo race held in coastal Karnataka and north Kerala from November to March. But this time, the jockeys stole the show: two of them were so fast, they were compared to the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt. Srinivas Gowda and Nishant Shetty from Dakshina Kannada district, who clocked stunning speeds running with the buffaloes, became celebrities overnight.

In the past, the Kambala sport has attracted strong criticism from animal rights groups. The PETA had earlier approached the Karnataka High Court alleging Kambala involves cruelty to animals. The high court agreed and banned the sport, which led to mass outrage. However, soon after, the state government passed an ordinance or executive order to allow it, subject to some conditions.