Nepal - Pokhara - Young Nepali boy performs sit-ups during Gurkha selection

A young Nepali boy is straining in his last sit-ups during a recruitment test for the Gurkha Regiment, part of a tough endurance series to find physically perfect specimens for British army infantry training. He has to perform 25 straight-kneed sit-ups at a 45° slant both within 60 seconds to pass. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those educated enough to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. The Gurkhas have been supplying youth for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

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Filename: gurkha_training0416-01_1997.jpg
Copyright: © Richard Baker. No copying, screen grabbing, transmission or publication without permission.
Image Size: 5431x3484 / 3.4MB; www.photoshelter.com/support/license; https://www.bakerpictures.com/contact; British Army Gurkha Himalayas MoD Nepal Nepali Pokhara UK adolescent altitude army boy career clever colonial competition departing duty education ethnic family fierce heroism historic history homeland honour infantry military mountainous pride prospects recruit regiment reputation service talent token trained uniform young youth ultimate supply soldier successful traditional training selection foothills joining practice trying effort honor commitment lifetime salary pension security Nepalese wilderness outdoor tough testosterone macho well-known notorious boys lads kids future health weary weak stress rigorous performance fitness fatigue exertion exercise endurance course cardio British army exhaustion candidate trainee pushed to the limit perseverance ambition limits emotional determination courage athlete pain goals motivation stretching excruciating mental strength agony intensity maximum stamina specimen strength fortitude brawn virility body tough guy athletic nimble superior peak of fitness miles intake strenuous inner-strength character-building character Himal breathing mental energy regular lifting personal conscience keep fit muscles stomach session location fit sit-ups grimace number ID identify angle hardest toughest armed forces defense defence test Regiment of Gurkhas Gurkhas wannabe pass fail elimination strongest
Contained in galleries: Gurkha Selection, TSoL - Sky

A young Nepali boy is straining in his last sit-ups during a recruitment test for the Gurkha Regiment, part of a tough endurance series to find physically perfect specimens for British army infantry training. He has to perform 25 straight-kneed sit-ups at a 45° slant both within 60 seconds to pass. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those educated enough to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. The Gurkhas have been supplying youth for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857.