Originally posted: March 24th, 2014
Kushti is a form of South Asian wrestling that traces its origins back to 5,000 BC. FIVE THOUSAND BC! A few days after my first Kushti trip to the akhara, Apoorva took me for round two. The coach and wrestlers training there were just as nice the second time, and I was more prepared. I did a bit more of a real warmup, like a quarter of my college warmup, as opposed to the 5 minute jog I thought would work the first time haha. Anyway, the warmup opened up my vessels and got my blood pumping, and I blew my lungs out as well with some sprints so my body would know it’s about to compete and get all systems go. This time they had me touch the ground in front of a little temple inside the complex. Not to say that I knew what I was doing, I just played simon says with my opponent and did exactly what he did in the little ritual. Then when we were on the dirt, they had us waft some fumes from a burning incense stick before we went to battle.
Underhook far knee pick like butter
This day was much more successful. My thumb felt alright and didn’t get tweaked this time, although I did leave this day with scratches all over my face and neck. I was able to score consistently on this guy (the same man I wrestled the first day) and pick him apart with different attacks. I gave up one takedown but hey, I’m two years out of shape and my Old Man Strength isn’t yet fully engaged. This time I got a little tired, but thanks to my kickass warmup didn’t fully gas or get too fatigued. Other improvements included Apoorva filmed the whole match horizontally and got some sweet action shots, and there was a family of monkeys with about 5 babies running along the walls of the akhara and playing in the trees. After about a 10 minute live go with the first guy, I took a breather and then some dude asked in Hindi if he could wrestle me. He was much lighter than me and I was able to open up on him, with an under/over to an inside trip to a body lock for two + more, ankle pick, cross ankle pick, double, and some takedown I invented on the fly that started with my arm around his low back (he had a wizzer) to a standing roll through navy (BLOOP BLOOP!) to a tilt. I forgot we were wrestling freestyle so he also go points cause I went across my back, but it was cool anyway. Whatever.
TAKE A SEAT! #AMERICA got your ankle
The main coach Sripal (I think) and I started chatting about rules (via translator Apoorva) and he wanted me to teach his wrestlers some moves/tips. Sidenote: This coach is good friends with Sushil Kumar (Olympic Gold medalist) and competed internationally himself until 2006 when he had a back injury that ended his career #FACTDROP — Anyway, I taught them my bread and butters, my variation of an ankle pick, the Mike Rogers reverse grip setups to a double series (elbow pass, and post), and an underhook to a far knee pick. Then I didn’t want to pass up such an opportunity to learn something from him so he taught me some freestyle mat wrestling and a basic leg lace. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! So thankful for Auntie and Apoorva for taking me to the akhara and fulfilling my dream of seeing different international styles. A learning experience I’ll never forget SHABASH
They throw dirt on your shoulders after points/breaks in action to absorb sweat and improve grip. When you wrestle 20 minutes live though, it’s no longer dirt. After we finished wrestling, they brought out a huge glass and handed it to me after washing it in the basin with questionable water. Then this little Indian dude came out with a big silver pitcher full of what looked like foam. He poured me a glass, full to the very brim. I don’t mean to the brim as an exaggeration. The water tension was doing WORK keeping this stuff in the glass. The drink was a light green/yellow color and super-frothy. I had no idea what it was but figured it would be really rude to refuse. I look over at Apoorva questioningly and silently mouthed, “is this beer?” She laughed and asked, and I was informed it was “orange juice.” Forgive me, I’m used to my orange juice being orange. Even the OJ at d hall was orange, and we all know it wasn’t orange juice. Apparently they use green oranges that aren’t ripe yet or something. Ok whatever, at least it’s not beer. I didn’t want to be rude so I took it to the head like a champ. After about 30 seconds I was a third of the way down the glass when the little homie came and TOPPED ME OFF. WHAT??! I look across the yard at my opponent who I had just whooped and he was standing there having emptied his glass already like it was nothing. Oh it’s like that? Ok I got this. I put my poker face on and chugged the whole thing. Smiled at him. Like a boss. We chatted a little while longer, I touched the guru’s feet and the feet of the elder there, leaned in and whispered to Apoorva, “Lets bounce before all of that juice comes back up.” We hit the road. (I never threw up btw)
