Warm-Up: Push-Ups, Conditioning & Strength

The session began with intense warm-ups — push-ups, conditioning drills, and strength-building exercises. The movements were repetitive, powerful, and rhythmic.

Photographing this phase helped me understand timing in sports photography. Wrestling training is fast but controlled. You have to anticipate the movement, not just react.

Below are images from the warm-up and conditioning phase.

(Image below – Push-ups & Strength Training)

Grappling & Combat Practice

After the warm-up came individual grappling sessions. This was where the energy shifted. The wrestlers paired up and began practicing holds, throws, and counters.

Capturing grappling taught me how unpredictable wrestling can be. You can’t rely on burst mode alone — you have to read body language.

I also had the opportunity to meet Johnty Gujar, a renowned Indian wrestler who has represented India internationally and won multiple awards. Photographing him during training was a special moment for me, especially as someone still learning the craft.

Below is an image of Johnty Gujar during training.

(Image below – Johnty Gujar Portrait)

The Indoor Challenge – Learning About Light the Hard Way

Most of the outdoor mud-pit sessions were manageable in natural light. However, inside the rubber-mat indoor court, I faced one of my earliest technical challenges.

The light was low and uneven. Shooting with my Nikon D3500 and kit lenses meant I was limited to narrower apertures. That’s when I realized how important a wider aperture lens is for indoor sports photography.

I pushed my ISO higher than I was comfortable with at that time, and the results clearly showed noise and softness.

Below is an image from the indoor court that reflects the technical challenges I faced.

(Image Below– Indoor Training Low Light Shot - I couldn't nail any images inside the court - a valuable lesson learnt early)

This was one of my earliest lessons:

If you want to shoot indoor sports professionally, invest in wide aperture lenses. If budget is a concern or if you are just starting try prime lenses. Outside, the difference wasn’t as visible. Inside, it was obvious.

Cool Down – Embracing the Mud

After intense grappling, the wrestlers moved into their cool-down routine. One of the most unique aspects of akhada training is how the wrestlers embrace the mud — rubbing it over their bodies as part of recovery.

(Image Below – Cool Down & Feedback Sessions)

The Akhada Energy Drink – Tradition in a Glass

One of the most memorable parts of my visit was the traditional energy drink prepared at the akhada. Almonds are crushed into a pulp and filtered through a muslin cloth to create a rich, natural drink for the wrestlers.

I had gone there prepared — I brought half a kilogram of almonds as a small gift, knowing about this tradition. It was my way of respecting the space and the culture.

Praveen Pahelwan not only accepted it warmly but also offered me snacks and a glass of the same almond drink.

That gesture made me feel less like an outsider with a camera, and more like someone who was welcome.