1) What is the reason you quit wresting & decided for MMA ?
Wrestling is my first love and i have been wrestling since the age of 7-8. I have been born in the family of wrestlers and grew up training with my Dad and my sisters. So wrestling was the obvious path for me. However, I started watching MMA few years back.and was very intrigued. I started wondering – what if a wrestler takes on a Boxer or what if a boxer takes on a Karate guy who will win. Wrestling is also a form of martial arts just like boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ etc. And Mixed Martial arts is combination of all these martial arts. I found that very interesting and I started following the sport, and fast-forward 2018, I was introduced to an opportunity to transform into Mixed Martial Artist. It took us a while to decide but eventually in 2019 Feb I had decided
2) You were doing so well in wrestling how was the reaction from everyone on this change of sport?
Yes, that’s true. But I feel, I am very adventurous in nature. When i set my eyes on MMA I just knew it somwhere that i want to try it. My family especially my dad was very supportive. It wouldnt have been possible without their love and support.
3) What’s your take on Indian Women In Sports?
I think they are doing extremely well and grabbing lots of eyeballs with their performances. May it be wrestling or boxing or shooting or cricket or badminton everywhere our girls are making headlines and making our country proud at international level.
4) What challenges you have faced being a sportsperson in India ?
Well I believe every Athlete have their own unique story and all of have had their part of struggles to reach where they are currently. They are all very inspiring. For me my inspiration were my sisters, I really look up to them. I grew up watching them sweating it out early in the morning and then again in the afternoon. In 2010 when my sisters made history in women wrestling in India, that made a tremendous impact in my life and my journey as a wrestler, I was more positive in my approach towards wrestling.
Like my sisters, my dad had taken me under his tutelage at a very young age and somewhere I knew I have that fire in my belly to become the best wrestler. I use to wake up 3.30 am for the morning practice with my dad. Then again in afternoon one more session. The total time per training session were almost 3 hrs. I clearly remember the first few Dangals which my dad use to take me to compete, I was very young then, during my school days. You will not believe we use to wrestle for oranges. Yes if we win we use to get 3 oranges and that was our reward for winning the Dangal. I will never forget this as those oranges were the best I have had ever in my life. The oranges had the taste of victory and I bet no oranges would ever taste as good as those. We were so happy as kids to get those 3 oranges, that feeling was priceless.
I was very mischievous in school I use to get lot of scolding from my teachers and my dad but I use to balance it all in my training sessions where I use to give my 100% as I was more interested in wrestling then studying. I was very scared of my dad, but somewhere his strict nature has helped me become a good athlete. Growing up with my sisters and training under my Dad helped a lot shaping up my wrestling and thus I also had that hunger to win medals for India, which I did later on.
5) What improvements do you suggest for Indian Sports Authority For Women?
As I said before, in every sport women are equally capable of making our country proud as our men. And I feel equal focus and attention should be given to women in sports by all stakeholders – Federation, Fans, media, sponsors, coaches, etc.
Who is your role Model and why ?
My father and my sisters. My sisters because they are fantastic athletes and inspired me to become a athlete myself. And my dad because, While growing up, my dad not only taught me how to wrestle, but also taught me how to be respectful, humble, fearless, disciplined and hardworking. These values will forever play an important role in my career and personal life
What inspires you life ?
The Athletes who achieve the triumph after all the hardwork.
Your fitness regime If we may know ?
6 days a week training twice a day one in the morning 9 am and second in the afternoon 2 pm. Sometimes i take 3 sessions in a day as i want to learn new form of martial arts
Your Favourites:
Sport – Wrestling and MMA
Food – Daal Chaval
Movies & Books – Dangal & The Secret
Travelling Destination – Italy
Your One Liner For our readers
Play Sports – It can be any sport but start testing your physique and skills and I guarantee you will enjoy every bit of it.
Your message to women in fitness & sports
You go girls. Keep inspiring and keep spreading the joy. Cheers!!
