A traditional game of India and a very old means of entertainment. Earlier, when there was no TV era, wrestling competitions are often organized at fairs or social occasions, in which people actively participate. When the modern Olympic Games started in the year 1896, the sport of wrestling was included in it.
The style of Indian wrestling is also known as Pehlwani, and the person is referred to as Pehlwan. kushti, The traditional Indian wrestling takes place in “Akhada“. Akhada is a place for practicing Indian wrestling, in other words, the school of wrestling. Indian wrestlers or pehlwan live under some strict set of rules made by the trainer or ustad.
History of Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest forms of combat, with the first literary references dating back to the Trojan War of the 13th or the 12th The origins date back to 15,000 years. Cave drawings in France are the earliest representations of modern sport.
In ancient Greece, Wrestling competitions were quite a crucial form of entertainment and sport. They were focal sports during the Ancient Olympic Games. However, the games were initially quite brutal. Since 1904, every Olympic Games has included Wrestling as a sport. The Olympic style involves strict rules, which reduce physical violence and hurtful aggression. Freestyle wrestling rules are followed for the game.
In India, Wrestling has been practiced since the 5th millennium B.C. Having evolved from a South-Asian form of wrestling called ‘Malla-Yuddha,’ wrestling in India was known as Pehlwani or Kushti. Pehlwans or the players used various grappling techniques, which evolved through the ages.
The regimen for Pehlwans was strict, with most of them beginning their formal training in their teens. They were supposed to visit an akhara or a wrestling school as early as 5 or 6 in the morning to practice bodyweight training and develop muscle bulk in flexibility. These players performed yoga while using contact sports as a part of their physical fitness routine.
Some of the practices used in Indian wrestling were quite unique, including but not limited to locks, throws, pins, and submission hold. Shoulder throw, known as dhobi paat and strangle pin, known as kasauta were the most favored maneuvers in the game.
While Pehlwani is a widely practiced sport in the country, Indians usually participate in freestyle Olympic Wrestling and Professional Wrestling when competing internationally. Regularly, Indians participate in freestyle wrestling at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and other international events, while a few Indians play with Professional Wrestling organizations like WWE.
How is the wrestling played?
The duration of a wrestling game is 5 minutes. But 4 minutes of play is prescribed for the age group under 16. If for any reason no wrestler is declared the winner in this stipulated period, then an additional time of 3 minutes is given. The game of wrestling also becomes deadly when a dangerous bet is placed. In such a situation, no player can wear any such thing, which is likely to cause injury.
Every situation in the match is decided by the referee. At the same time, the judge keeps an eye on every decision of the referee, if the judge has any doubt about the decision of the referee, then the judge indicates it by raising the baton. Gives the scoresheet to the chairman of wrestling.
Wrestling takes place on the mat. After coming on the mat, both the wrestlers first shake hands with each other. At the same time, the referee examines both and it is checked that neither player has anything objectionable. After this, the referee sends both the players to the ends of the arena. And then the start of the game is announced by whistling. After the inspection, he declares the final decision.
Types of Wrestling – At present, wrestling is played in two ways. Freestyle and Greco-Roman.
1. Greco-Roman
Greco-Roman wrestling is divided into two halves of 3 minutes each. In between these two parts, players get a break of 30 seconds in which they also strategize and rest. It is worth noting that the wrestler can collect points under the block, hold, throw and takedown.
Points can also be earned through reversal - controlling the game against your opponent from a defensive position - or can result in points if the opponent wrestler makes a mistake.
2. Freestyle
Matches in freestyle wrestling are divided into three minutes each, similar to Greco-Roman, with a 30-second break after each round. Rounds are reduced to two minutes each for official under-15s, cadets and larger competitions.
It consists of two wrestlers facing each other with a nine-meter diameter, which is to mat the opponent's shoulders, giving the wrestler an instant victory by 'foul'.
Five ways to score points in a wrestling match:
1. Takedown – (2 points) You score two points for taking your opponent down to the mat and controlling him/her.
2. Escape – (1 point) You score one point for getting away or getting to a neutral position when your opponent has you down on the mat.
3. Reversal – (2 points) You score two points when your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent.
4. Near Fall (Back Points) – (2 or 3 points) You get near fall points when you almost but not quite get your opponent pinned. A near fall (near pin) is when both shoulders are held for two seconds within four inches of the mat, one shoulder touches the mat and the other shoulder is at a 45-degree angle coming down to the mat, the wrestler is held in a high bridge or back on both elbows. If a near fall lasts for two seconds, you get 2 points. If a near fall lasts for 5 seconds, you get 3 points.
5. Penalty Points – (1 or 2 points) Your opponent is awarded points if you commit the following infractions. The first and second time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded one point. The third time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded two points. The fourth time you are penalized, you are disqualified.
Most popular wrestling tournaments in India
Pro Wrestling League
The most visible of all the wrestling tournaments in India its first edition was held in 2015 and its second edition in 2017. People have been consistently watching this league; high viewership was noted both in 2017 and 2018, with the Pro Wrestling League managing to get one of the highest audiences among non-cricket sports in India.
Under-15 National Wrestling Championships
The first U-15 National level wrestling championship was held in Meerut, in June 2018. Teams from different Indian states participated, from Karnataka to Manipur, and the competition included both freestyle & Greco-Roman categories and was for both boys & girls.
National Wrestling Championships
The national-level competition is held at Cadet, Senior & Junior Wrestling Championships, for both Free Style & Greco Roman Style. The senior national wrestling championships are held every year, the 2017 edition was held in Indore (Madhya Pradesh), while the 2016 edition was held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
Bharat Kesari
This is one of the most well-paying competitions in India. Organized by the Haryana government, the 2016 edition saw the first prize winner getting awarded Rs. 1 crore. It is also a long-running competition the 1991 edition was held in Delhi, and among the audience was Dara Singh himself.
The winner of the 2016 edition was Mausam Khatri. Medal winners from college & state level tournaments can participate here in this event.
A similar contest is held by the Maharashtra government, called the Maharashtra Kesari. The competition has been reportedly held since 1961, and the winner gets not only a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh but also a silver mace weighing 1.5 kilograms.
Governing Bodies
United World Wrestling
It is the international governing body for amateur wrestling and wrestling at the Olympics. The body presides over Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling and others. UWW also hosts the flagship event known as Wrestling World Championships. The representatives in the body are from each of the 174 national wrestling federation’s around the world.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
This is the Indian governing body of wrestling which governs freestyle champions, Greco-Roman and other similar types of competitions. The body organizes various national and international events, including camps for qualifying tournaments. The body affiliates with the Indian Olympic Association and UWW.
