Did you know that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is a black belt in Aikido martial arts? Rahul Gandhi revealed it while answering a question posed by Indian boxer Vijender Singh at a PHD chamber of commerce programme.
Replying to Vijender, who had asked why Indian politicians were seldom seen playing sports, Rahul said that he plays a lot of sports and does exercise including swimming, running and is even a black belt in Aikido.
Aikido is a form of Japanese martial art which includes throwing, joint-locking, striking and pinning techniques, coupled with training in traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, staff and knife.
The sport was founded by Morihei Ueshiba early in the twentieth century following his own extensive study of various armed and unarmed martial systems. It is one of the most widely practised budo, or martial way, in the world.
