Kabul: Every weekend, afghanistan fighters gather in public fields in the capital to complain about their skills against each other in sports which are a mixture of judo and wrestling.
The informal meeting attracted a large partisan crowd, with fans cheering for their favorites – usually someone from their home district – and put aside them he wanted to lose.
“I have struggled for 17 years,” said Mohammad Atef, a 31-year-old child who was built well from the peak province in North Afghanistan, after throwing his opponent with an expert.
“This popular is a pisangan, Kunduz, Baghlan – and there are many famous wrestlers in Sheberghan too.” Judo and Wresting are very popular in the north, with villages and districts that produce local champions they put out regional contests and even national glory.
The discipline followed by Afghanistan in the dusty field is a mixture of both, with the referee to ensure a set of rules that are not clearly followed and to declare the winner.
Needs usually settle quickly – fight rarely lasts more than one or two minutes – with opponents giving each other sports hugs no matter the results.
“Today my competitors come from Kunduz,” Atef said after throwing his rival with an acrobatic throw.
“I used a spiral technique and I finally defeated him.” Suitable made by promoters who choose opponents based on the combination of weight and records.
There was a small wallet for winners and although gambling was officially banned by the Taliban, the side bet was clearly made in the fight – with money hiding to change the hands between a smart audience after each fight.
Hekmat, a 21-year-old child from Sisangan, just started his career and beamed after his first win on the weekend.
“About 10 years I wrestled …
since childhood,” he told AFP.
“I just came to Kabul in recent months after I wrestling in other provinces and districts.” There were no signs of the Taliban in the crowd gathered in Kabul – those present said the group avoided a physical contest.
“We set this alone,” said one referee.
“It’s not for the Taliban.”
Gang Grapple: Afghan fighters seeking glory in dusty kabul fields
