Wrestling

Manasollasa mentions special coaching provided to wrestlers. To warm up,  the would-be-wrestlers had to do jog three miles early morning. This was followed by dands and sit-ups. Weight lifting was also undertaken (see  by the wrestlers in order to strengthen the body. After resting for a while, wrestlers descended into the wrestling pit filled with finely sieved sand. They saluted each other in traditional style and began the joust when a signal was given. Various grips  were practiced and had Kannada names. Youngsters flocked to these bouts to cheer and to mimic the gestures of grown-ups  The wrestler's body was well massaged before the bout began, and dust was applied to wrestlers' hands in order to prevent them from slipping over the opponent's oiled body. Bhavishnu or future-wrestlers were fed on a special diet of black gram, meat, curds, flour mixed with milk, and clarified butter. They were specially guarded and prevented from spending time in the company of women².

Kamat Research Database

Since ancient times, people in India believed that the human body is indeed an instrument of dharma . Hence the body is to be properly nourished, and maintained. In medieval Karnataka people gave as much importance to physical exercise as to literary education. The principle of “a sound mind in a sound body” was not only accepted but also faithfully practiced. The system of yoga was the first step in spiritual training.  Yoga comprises full-fledged toning of the body and mind. It includes the use of various body postures to control breathing and muscle movements, and to help gain control over human passions as well. It was the general belief that this balancing of the body and mind led to intellectual strength.
Village schools were usually situated in the temple premises or in the courtyard of mathas, where children played after daytime lessons. Besides this, every village had one or two playgrounds, where sporting events and games were held during the annual fair of the village deity. These involved wrestling, boxing, mallakhambha (pillar acrobatics), the shooting of arrows, and demonstrations of strength such as weight lifting. Bigger grounds were reserved for ram-fights, buffalo fights, fencing and duelling. Various ball games, and the indigenous sports of kho-kho and  kabaddi were common. Most childrens' sports in medieval India ensured body-development. The economy and variety of indigenous games were greatly admired by visiting foreign travelers.