Photo: Meet Baba Ramdev, the wrestler

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev celebrated the 20th foundation day of his ashram, Divya Yog Mandir Trust in Haridwar, on Monday by participating in a wrestling match against wrestler Sushil Kumar.

"Yoga gives the body a lot of strength. I used to wrestle 30 years ago and I thought of giving it a try again. Sushil Kumar asked me to participate in a match to encourage the wrestlers," said Ramdev.

"Wrestling and kabaddi should be encouraged worldwide. We will make a wrestling ground in Patanjali too," he added.

Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar lauded Ramdev's performance in the wrestling match.

"The performance of Baba Ramdev was spectacular. People from all around the world should see his enthusiasm," he said.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent) Sarbananda Sonowal and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were among those present on the occasion.

Image: Baba Ramdev participating in a wrestling bout. Photograph: Ramdev/Twitter