Sports
Want to be a mixed martial arts world champion: Ritu Phogat
New Delhi, Nov 14
Indian wrestling superstar Ritu Phogat is set to make her professional mixed martial arts debut when she takes on Korea's Nam Hee Kim in an atomweight contest. The pair faced-off on Thursday at an open workout and are scheduled to meet in the ONE Championship ring at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS, which will take place on November 16, at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China.
Ahead of Phogat's first foray into the mixed martial arts arena, the 25-year-old details how she envisions her path unfolding in a new sport, her ultimate goal, and how she plans to accomplish the mission she has set for herself.
"No question, I want to become a mixed martial arts World Champion, and everything I'm doing now is preparing me for that," said Phogat.
"I made the decision to jump into this with my full heart and will. My goal is to become the first Indian woman to win a mixed martial arts World Championship. I believe I'm in a great position to represent my country and I want to inspire as many women as I can. It's an honour," she added.
Phogat is already an accomplished athlete, having garnered multiple accolades throughout her competition career. She is a Commonwealth Wrestling Championships Gold Medalist, World U23 Wrestling World Championships Silver Medalist, Asian Wrestling Championships Bronze Medalist, and multiple-time Indian National Wrestling Champion.
Hailing from Haryana, Phogat is widely-regarded as one of India's top sports superstars and one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. Her sisters Geeta, Babita Kumari, and Sangeeta as well as cousin Vinesh are also wrestling champions. The Phogat family was the subject of the 2016 blockbuster film, 'Dangal', which told the story of Indian wrestling pioneer Mahavir Singh Phogat based loosely on real-life events.
Already a recognisable face in her home country, Phogat now enters the international arena. She looks to make her presence known.
"One of my goals is to bring honour to Indian martial arts. I think it's really important that we celebrate my country's culture and history and I really hope I can represent that well on the global stage," said Phogat.
"I have big plans, but first, I have to take care of business against an opponent who wants to spoil the party. I've prepared well for this, but this is my first time, and we'll have to see where I'm at after this fight," she concluded.
ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS will be aired on Star Sports Select 2 on November 16, starting at 2:30 p.m. IST. The main card, featuring Ritu Phogat's ONE debut, will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Ahead of Phogat's first foray into the mixed martial arts arena, the 25-year-old details how she envisions her path unfolding in a new sport, her ultimate goal, and how she plans to accomplish the mission she has set for herself.
"No question, I want to become a mixed martial arts World Champion, and everything I'm doing now is preparing me for that," said Phogat.
"I made the decision to jump into this with my full heart and will. My goal is to become the first Indian woman to win a mixed martial arts World Championship. I believe I'm in a great position to represent my country and I want to inspire as many women as I can. It's an honour," she added.
Phogat is already an accomplished athlete, having garnered multiple accolades throughout her competition career. She is a Commonwealth Wrestling Championships Gold Medalist, World U23 Wrestling World Championships Silver Medalist, Asian Wrestling Championships Bronze Medalist, and multiple-time Indian National Wrestling Champion.
Hailing from Haryana, Phogat is widely-regarded as one of India's top sports superstars and one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. Her sisters Geeta, Babita Kumari, and Sangeeta as well as cousin Vinesh are also wrestling champions. The Phogat family was the subject of the 2016 blockbuster film, 'Dangal', which told the story of Indian wrestling pioneer Mahavir Singh Phogat based loosely on real-life events.
Already a recognisable face in her home country, Phogat now enters the international arena. She looks to make her presence known.
"One of my goals is to bring honour to Indian martial arts. I think it's really important that we celebrate my country's culture and history and I really hope I can represent that well on the global stage," said Phogat.
"I have big plans, but first, I have to take care of business against an opponent who wants to spoil the party. I've prepared well for this, but this is my first time, and we'll have to see where I'm at after this fight," she concluded.
ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS will be aired on Star Sports Select 2 on November 16, starting at 2:30 p.m. IST. The main card, featuring Ritu Phogat's ONE debut, will begin at 4:00 p.m.

14 hours ago
BRICS must amplify the voice of Global South: FM Sitharaman

14 hours ago
London to host Economic Forum at Mansion House

14 hours ago
BRICS summit: India used AI to make health systems, climate efforts more effective, says PM Modi

14 hours ago
US Treasury Secretary hints at more trade deals ahead of July 9 deadline for tariff hike

14 hours ago
Houthis say launched missiles, drones on Israel in response to Yemeni port attack

14 hours ago
South Korea: President Lee considers sending ex-interim leader of PPP as special envoy to US

14 hours ago
PM Modi meets Bolivian President on sidelines of BRICS summit

16 hours ago
Elon Musk mocks Trump over no arrests in Epstein case, feud escalates

19 hours ago
At BRICS, strong support for India's global terror convention

19 hours ago
Richa Inspires Young Swimmers With Golden Touch

19 hours ago
Trump calls Texas floods a '100-year catastrophe', says Gaza deal likely this week

19 hours ago
China opposes tariff wars, coercion after Trump's threat to BRICS countries

22 hours ago
Dharmendra remembers Dilip Kumar on his death anniversary: ‘This loss is unbearable’