Wrestling gives World Team member Anthony and Junior World champion Nelson unique experience in India

Two-time U.S. World Team member Victoria Anthony and 2017 Junior World champion Maya Nelson jumped at the opportunity of a lifetime, traveling to India for a three-week training camp with the Indian women’s freestyle national team in September.

The training camp was a tune-up camp for the Indian national tournament, set for November. Anthony and Nelson were invited by a member of the national team coaching staff and put in three weeks of concentrated mat practice, serving as training partners and perfecting their own techniques.

In the room, Nelson and Anthony worked out with the successful Phogat sisters and Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik.

During their off days, the two American standouts traveled to several other cities, Hampi, Goa and Banglarore.

“The trip was good for my wrestling, but it was also good for life in general,” 2017 World Championships fifth-place finisher Anthony said. “I got to experience an amazing culture there, and there are so many people, so it was interesting to see. Men and women have very distinct roles in India and to see what some of those girls are wrestling for is impactful. At a young age these girls decide that they want to take the wrestling route and they have to give up school for that. So it was really interesting to get to hear their stories and see their motivations for wrestling.”

“To be able to experience a whole different culture and relax and have fun and mix in some training was great,” Nelson said. “Going with Victoria was awesome. I got to get really close to her and build that friendship. She has a great vibe and is a go-with-the-flow type of person. Overall, it was absolutely an amazing experience.”