New Delhi: Haryana's hinterlands come alive at daybreak as children emerge from their homes, battered and bruised, to head to the nearest akhada (mud pit). The state's wrestlers are a force to be reckoned with, producing 20% of India's Olympic contingent and 5 out of 7 wrestling medals.
The system is primitive, Spartan, and unstructured, yet it has been producing champions for years. From Bhagana to Balali, Chhara to Rithal, the akhadas are where the quiet ones find their voice and purpose.
For Bajrang Punia, wrestling was a way out of penury, while for Aman Sehrawat, it healed the grief of losing his parents. The sport has liberated countless women from the prisons of patriarchy.
There's no real explanation for Haryana's success, but experts point to the state's rural roots and the fact that wrestling is a daily routine. The diet, environment, and lifestyle all contribute to the production of talented wrestlers.
SAI has adopted akhadas under its National Sports Talent Contest Scheme, providing coaches, mats, and equipment. Cash rewards and government jobs are also on offer, but ultimately, it's raw talent that sets Haryana apart.
