Kushti Wrestling

Indian men practice the three thousand year old sport known as “Kushti”, a form of wrestling, in its traditional form in Kolhapur, India. In this south-eastern Indian city Kushti has a long tradition. Wrestlers continue the rigorous schedule of waking up at 3:30am six times a week and practicing more than 6 hours every day. They live together in one small room above the arena and their only belongings are a blanket, a few items of clothes. They have been compared to holy men because of their celibacy and dedication to the sport.