Rahul Gandhi showcases his martial arts skills on India's sports day: 'Dojo Yatra coming soon'
Rahul Gandhi during a martial arts session Photograph:( X )
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On the occasion of India's National Sports Day, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi released a video showcasing his martial arts skills. The video was taken during a camp when he was holding the Bharat Jodo Yatra, or Unite India March, a drive undertaken by him across the country ahead of this year's general elections
On the occasion of India's National Sports Day, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi released a video showcasing his martial arts skills. The video was taken during a camp when he was holding the Bharat Jodo Yatra, or Unite India March, a drive undertaken by him across the country ahead of this year's general elections
Indian Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi shared a video showcasing his martial arts skills on Thursday (Aug 29), on the occasion of India's National Sports Day.
National Sports Day marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand, the Indian hockey legend who brought three Olympic gold medals to the country.
Rahul Gandhi shared the video along with a post on X, saying, "During the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, as we journeyed across thousands of kilometres, we had a daily routine of practicing jiu-jitsu every evening at our campsite."
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Jiu-jitsu is a ground-based martial art originating mainly in Brazil.
The Congress leader is a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art, and a blue belt in jiu-jitsu.
"What began as a simple way to stay fit quickly evolved into a community activity, bringing together fellow yatris and young martial arts students from the towns where we stayed," said Gandhi in the post, referring to his long march across India ahead of this summer's general elections.
Watch the video here:
During the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, as we journeyed across thousands of kilometers, we had a daily routine of practicing jiu-jitsu every evening at our campsite. What began as a simple way to stay fit quickly evolved into a community activity, bringing together fellow yatris and… pic.twitter.com/Zvmw78ShDX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 29, 2024
"Our goal was to introduce these young minds to the beauty of the ‘Gentle Art’—a harmonious blend of meditation, jiu-jitsu, Aikido, and non-violent conflict resolution techniques," he said about the martial arts session held with a group of children and youngsters.
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"We aimed to instill in them the value of transforming violence into gentleness, giving them the tools to build a more compassionate and safer society."
"On National Sports Day, I want to share our experience with all of you, hoping to inspire some of you to take up the practice of the ‘Gentle Art’," wrote Gandhi, adding, "P.S.: Bharat Dojo Yatra is coming soon."
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Dojo refers to a school for training in various self-defence arts such as judo or karate.
During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi engaged in various physical activities, from jogging and running to meeting and interacting with wrestlers.
Those with whom he interacted and sparred included some of the wrestlers who were protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh who had been accused of sexual harassment.
(With inputs from agencies)
