Young and upcoming athlete Kushagra Vyas has been deeply connected with martial arts since a very young age. His journey in the discipline began in 2016, when he was just seven or eight years old. Over the years, he has steadily nurtured his interest and developed a strong passion for the sport, training at the FOK Martial Art Academy in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Among the various martial arts forms, Kushagra primarily practices Kurash, a traditional sport that originated in Uzbekistan. The game holds a special place for him and remains one of his favorites. Alongside Kurash, he also explores other sports such as belt wrestling, mass wrestling, judo, swimming, and cricket. This broad engagement with various games reflects both his enthusiasm for sports and his commitment to staying active while continually improving as an athlete.

The Initiation

The game of Kurash came to India in the late 1990s. Kurash was brought to Madhya Pradesh by Coach Rahul Vyas. Kushagra began his journey in the sport by participating in a district-level competition early on, where he went on to win a gold medal. Motivated by this achievement, his father then encouraged him to participate in the sub-junior state-level competition, which became an important turning point in the beginning of his Kurash journey.

Gurus & Role Models

Kushagra shares that the person who has guided him the most in his journey is his father, whom he considers his first mentor. It was his father who encouraged him to participate in a district-level competition early on, where he went on to win a gold medal. Since then, he has continued to train and refine his skills under his father’s guidance at FOK Martial Arts Academy.

The Talent

While sharing insights about the sport, Kushagra explains that Kurash is played in a manner somewhat similar to Judo, where athletes compete while standing. However, one of the key distinctions in Kurash lies in its rules, players are not allowed to touch the lower body. If the lower body is touched during the match, it results in a penalty. He also mentions that the duration of a match varies depending on the level of the players. For newcomers and junior participants, each match typically lasts three minutes. For senior and more experienced athletes, the match duration extends to four minutes, allowing for a slightly longer and more strategic contest on the mat. He also mentions that Kurash is played across several competitive levels, including prestigious platforms such as the Asian Games and the World Kurash Championships. These international arenas bring together talented athletes from different parts of the world, making them significant milestones for any player.

Achievements

Speaking about his achievements in the sport, Kushagra Vyas shares with great pride that he has had the honor of winning bronze medals at both the Kurash Asian Games and the World Championships. Notably, these accomplishments came during a recent championship held in South Korea, making the moment even more memorable in his sporting journey. He also shares several milestones from his sporting journey, reflecting years of dedication and consistent effort. In Kurash, he has secured victories in eight national-level games, while in belt wrestling he has won two national competitions. Expanding his experience across combat sports, he has also earned a title at a state championship in Mixed Martial Arts. At the school level, his performance has remained equally impressive. For the past three years, he has been consistently winning medals in Kurash tournaments organized by his school. In Judo, he achieved a bronze medal at the CBSE National level and further added to his accomplishments by winning a gold medal at the Central Board of Secondary Education Championship. He also shares an important moment from his international journey in belt wrestling. Representing his talent on a global platform, he traveled to Russia to compete in an international belt wrestling championship. Competing against athletes from different parts of the world, he delivered a strong performance and secured 5th position globally. This experience added valuable international exposure to his journey and strengthened his confidence as an athlete.

A Bit More

Khushagra also shares that he wishes to win a medal at the Asian Games, as he says that it is his father’s dream, and he looks forward to the day when he can achieve it through dedication and continuous training. Sharing his favorite songs he says that the songs from the movie Dangal, and the movie itself, feel quite relatable to him. In the film, the girls are trained by their father, who acts as their coach. In a similar way, Kushagra’s father is also his coach, which makes the story even more meaningful and motivating for him. The film and its songs inspire him to remain focused on his goals and continue working hard. He warmly encourages anyone interested in playing Kurash or learning any other sport to take the first step with curiosity and dedication. According to him, today’s world offers countless opportunities to learn and grow. With platforms like YouTube, aspiring players can easily explore techniques, understand forms, and study the fundamentals of a sport right from their homes. At the same time, he believes that guidance from experienced coaches adds immense value to this journey. By combining self-learning with professional mentorship, anyone can steadily refine their skills and move closer to mastering the sport they are passionate about. With the right mindset, consistent practice, and access to today’s resources, every aspiring athlete has the chance to shape their own path toward success. He also often shares thoughtful advice with his juniors and young players who are stepping into the world of sports. He encourages them to remain consistent in their practice and dedication, avoiding long gaps in their training. According to him, continuity is one of the most important elements in any sport. He believes that when players stay focused, avoid unnecessary distractions, and give their full attention to the game, their efforts gradually begin to shape their future.