Viral News

Chhatrasal Akhada: With 6 Olympic Golds, A Breeding Ground For India’s Wrestling Champions

The story of Chhatrasal Akhada began in 1988 when Satpal Singh, along with coaches Ramphal Mann and Pradeep Sharma, established it at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi. Satpal, who was an acclaimed wrestler, was driven by a personal desire to create a facility that could produce Olympic medallists. He recounts, “Ek mann mein tees thi (there was a pain in my heart of not winning an Olympic medal). That’s why I started the akhada at the Chhatrasal Stadium. I wanted to churn out Olympic medallists for the country.”

Satpal Singh’s Legacy

Satpal Singh, who represented India at the Munich 1972 and Moscow 1980 Olympics, was a distinguished wrestler with multiple Commonwealth Games medals and an Asian Games gold in 1982. Despite his personal Olympic disappointments, he aimed to give future wrestlers a competitive edge by introducing modern training methods, including the first mat at Chhatrasal Akhada in 1992. This innovation was pivotal in shaping future champions like Sushil Kumar.

Training At The Chhatrasal Akhada

At 5 pm, as dusk settles, wrestlers from various age groups begin arriving at Chhatrasal Akhada for their evening practice. The wrestlers stay at an adjacent sports hostel, and coaches Jaibir Dahiya, Anil Mann, and Pradeep Dahiya await their arrival. The athletes perform their customary knee-touch to their gurus before starting their warm-ups, their faces beaming with excitement.

The training regimen at Chhatrasal is both rigorous and selective. Coaches emphasize the value of traditional mud training, which builds resilience and strength. Jaibir Dahiya, a coach and former trainee, explains, “Training in mud helps budding wrestlers attain real strength. Movement in the mud is tough and therefore wrestlers need to use extra force.”

Outside their training, wrestlers seek blessings at a small temple near their quarters, praying to Lord Hanuman for strength.

Selection At The Chhatrasal Akhada

Selections are based on trials, ensuring only those with significant potential are admitted. Anil Mann, another coach, notes, “Our training is very hard and rigorous, and we push the young ones to their limits. Our aim is to ensure medals for the country, that’s why the preparation – right from a young age – is very robust.”

Olympic Glory

The buzz around the akhada is palpable after Aman Sehrawat’s recent triumph as an Olympic bronze medalist in Paris. The excitement echoes the achievements of Chhatrasal Akhada, which has previously produced Olympic medalists such as Ravi Dahiya (silver) and Bajrang Punia (bronze) from the Tokyo Games. The academy, with six Olympic medals to its name, has been a breeding ground for wrestling excellence in India, starting with Sushil Kumar, who won bronze in Beijing 2008 and silver in London 2012.

Coach Jaibir is optimistic about the future, saying, “These ones will win Olympic medals in future, I can guarantee you.”

The Modern Chhatrasal Akhada

Today, Chhatrasal Akhada is a state-of-the-art facility blending modern equipment with traditional values. It attracts wrestlers from across India, including distant states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Dhanraj, a wrestler from Maharashtra, remarks, “Yahan ki mitti mein kuch alag baat hai (There is something different here).” The akhada’s walls are adorned with giant photos of past stars like Sushil Kumar and Bajrang Punia, underscoring its legacy.

 

Drishya Madhur

I bring my expertise and enthusiasm to my role as a sub-editor at The Daily Guardian, where I contribute to creating meaningful and thought-provoking content daily. With a background in Journalism and Mass Communication, I have dedicated the last three years to honing my craft as a content writer. Over this time, I have gained extensive experience in News Writing, Blog Writing, Article Writing, and Content Writing, showcasing my ability to adapt my writing style to diverse platforms and audiences. My journey in the dynamic world of media has not only sharpened my storytelling abilities but also deepened my understanding of how impactful communication can shape perspectives.

Recent Posts

India-Bangladesh Border Talks Focus on Fencing, Infiltration

The India-Bangladesh DG-level border talks will address border fencing, infiltration, and cross-border crimes, marking the…

30 minutes ago

Shortest Work-Week Nation Prepares for Snap Election

Vanuatu, known for its 24.7-hour work week, holds elections tomorrow following a devastating earthquake. Recovery…

56 minutes ago

Hamas Yet To Respond To Gaza Ceasefire Deal Amid Continued Mediation Efforts

Talks for a Gaza ceasefire deal continue with Israel and Hamas, but Hamas' lack of…

1 hour ago

Indira Gandhi Bhawan: A Fresh Start for Congress or Just Another Landmark?

After a prolonged wait, Congress finally inaugurated its long-awaited permanent headquarters on Wednesday, a significant…

1 hour ago

SC Questions Punjab’s Claim on Farmer Leader Dallewal’s Health Amidst 49-Day Hunger Strike, Seeks AIIMS Opinion; Urges Swift Resolution to Farmers’ Demands

Expressing concerns over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been…

2 hours ago

Nearly 50,000 International Students Missing In Canada, India Tops The List, Raising Visa Concerns

Nearly 50,000 international students are missing from Canadian colleges and universities, with Indian nationals making…

2 hours ago