Kushti Wrestlers, India

• Photographer
  Max Riché, France

This is the first part of a series exploring the link between traditional sports and
religious beliefs. Kushti Wrestling is an extremely demanding traditionnal form of
wrestling practiced in India. The wrestlers train by lifting concrete dumballs and neck
rings, and all follow a very traditional training.

The wrestling field is made out of dirt that is dug out before every fight. The trainer,
also called 'guru' blesses every instrument and the wrestling area with incent and prayers
before every training. A tribute is paid to the gods before entering the ring.