Kushti

Histoire

Kushti, or pehlwani, is the traditional wrestling of India and Pakistan, a mix of ancient Indian wrestling (malla-yuddha) and Persian styles brought under the Mughals. Wrestlers train in akharas, pits of soft clay mixed with oil, buttermilk and turmeric.

Training is a whole way of life, with thousands of squats and push-ups a day, a special diet and devotion to Hanuman, the patron god of wrestlers. A bout is won by pinning both shoulders to the ground.

Le saviez-vous ?

• The Great Gama was never defeated in a career of more than 50 years.
• Wrestlers swing heavy wooden clubs (gada and mugdar) to build strength.
• Indian wrestlers who win Olympic medals often started in mud akharas.

Glossaire des techniques

Dhobi pachad

shoulder throw ("washerman's throw")

Dand

Hindu push-up

Baithak

Hindu squat

Armes et équipement

Gada

heavy club

Mugdar

Indian clubs

Langot

loincloth

⚔ In the Arsenal

Gada

Figures clés

• The Great Gama (Ghulam Mohammad Baksh) (1878–1960) — unbeaten world champion

Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica