Wrestling boasts strong tradition in Afghan

Afghanistan retains a strong wrestling tradition, despite being ravaged by war and conflict throughout the past decade. One young Afghan wrestler, Mohammad Hares, is hoping to make the podium in the Greco-Roman discipline at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Sport has been severely limited in Afghanistan in recent years, due to chronic instability.

But wrestling, which is traditionally practiced by the poorer Afghan groups, is still popular.

Mohammad Hares is considered one of the country's brightest wrestling prospects.

The 18-year-old has been wrestling for the past eight years.

Mohammad Hares, Wrestler, said, "The most important thing is to feel well within yourself, to not worry about other personal issues, because if you're concerned about something and not 'right' mentally it's difficult to perform at your best."

Hares never had the chance to go to school. He's unable to read or write and earns his living as a bread-maker.

But in a country where the unemployment rate tops 40 per cent, Hares is fortunate to have work at all.

The job also benefits his wrestling. Its physical nature helps to strengthen his hands, arms and shoulders.

Hares' day starts at 6a-m with his first training session. After that, he has "Kala Pacha" as his breakfast.

The soup has been eaten by wrestlers for centuries, and is supposed to give them super-human strength.

"It's tasty and it's cheap too! I eat it pretty much every morning after training."

One of Hares' coaches is Pahlawan Sami, a former international competitor who now trains the national team.

Pahlawan Sami, Wrestling coach, said, "If our other boys here can learn to do this then they will also become champions like Mohammed Hares. In this country, becoming a wrestling champion is relatively easy but to defend your title and continue being a champion, well, that's much, much harder."

Afghanistan won its first ever Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The success sparked huge celebrations in Kabul, and across the country.

And now, Mohammad Hares is striving to achieve similar success in London in 2012.

"I'm definitely working as hard as I can to fulfill my potential. Over the last year, I've spent a lot of time training. My first goal is to become the national champion, then I can focus on making it to the 2012 Olympics." Mohammad Hares said.

As a traditional focal point for the community in Afghanistan, wrestling not only benefits those interested in the sport, but also has a wider impact.

The sport helps to quell rising criminality amongst the unemployed youth and bring together a society ravaged by years of war and division.