04:08Fighting dirty: Indian mud wrestlers grapple to keep ancient sport alive
Athletes were seen engaged in the ancient Indian art of mud wrestling, at the training ground in Chandni
Chowk in the Old Delhi part of the capital on Tuesday, February 14.
"Boys from outside come and participate in weekly wrestling contests. Everyone gets to know about their performance. It's a great space which is frequented by people from distant areas," explained Muhammad Faizal, one of the competitors.
Footage shows groundskeepers watering the soil, before wrestlers took to the stage, cheered on by locals and fans.
"We train kids here from morning to evening," said wrestling coach Muhammad Shahid. "All the wrestlers who have participated in Olympic games have come out from this ground like Satpal Pahalwan and Kartar Pahalwan."
The form of wrestling, known as 'kushti' or 'dangal', is the most common form in North India and was popularised in rural communities. Some media reports suggest it dates back thousands of years.
Wrestlers grapple until one of the back of one of them touches the ground, with the other declared the winner. Many use the training as a stepping stone to mat wrestling and international competitions.
04:08Athletes were seen engaged in the ancient Indian art of mud wrestling, at the training ground in Chandni
Chowk in the Old Delhi part of the capital on Tuesday, February 14.
"Boys from outside come and participate in weekly wrestling contests. Everyone gets to know about their performance. It's a great space which is frequented by people from distant areas," explained Muhammad Faizal, one of the competitors.
Footage shows groundskeepers watering the soil, before wrestlers took to the stage, cheered on by locals and fans.
"We train kids here from morning to evening," said wrestling coach Muhammad Shahid. "All the wrestlers who have participated in Olympic games have come out from this ground like Satpal Pahalwan and Kartar Pahalwan."
The form of wrestling, known as 'kushti' or 'dangal', is the most common form in North India and was popularised in rural communities. Some media reports suggest it dates back thousands of years.
Wrestlers grapple until one of the back of one of them touches the ground, with the other declared the winner. Many use the training as a stepping stone to mat wrestling and international competitions.