I will win MMA World Championship belt for India in two years, hopes Ritu Phogat
Ritu Phogat, now a full-time Mixed Martial Artist, is all set to make her MMA debut next month and has given herself two years' time to try and become India's first world champion in the discipline. Ritu has signed for Singapore-based MMA organisation which has the highest number of world champions.
Earlier this year, former Indian wrestler Ritu Phogat made the shocking decision of switching to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) full time in a bid to create history. Ritu, who comes from the famous Phogat family of wrestlers, is all set to make her MMA debut next month and has given herself two years' time to try and become India's first world champion in the discipline.
"I used to follow mixed martial arts from 2012-13. I did not have much knowledge about it," 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships gold medal winner, Ritu, told IANS from Singapore on Friday.
Singapore-based MMA organisation, EVOLVE MMA, which has the highest number of world champions had offered Ritu to sign for them, an offer she could not let go. "When I got the offer from them, I did not want to let go and I spoke to everyone in the family. They were very supportive."
"I used to watch martial arts on YouTube from 2012. I did not know where it is trained. But I would always ask myself, why India does not have a fighter here. This was always there in my head," she said.
Ritu is currently concentrating on improving her speed, agility, and strength. She trains twice a day on different martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling and boxing. On November 16 in the One Championship, Ritu will take on Malaysian Cindy Tiong, who is a veteran kickboxer and is also making her professional MMA debut.
"I am nervous. It's my first match in the World Championship. I have confidence in my abilities and I will put my best foot forward."
"I want to win the World Championship belt for India. This has never been done before. I want to be the first in mixed martial arts to win that for my country. Hopefully in the next two years, I can achieve my goal. I am working really hard for that," said the 25-year old.
Ritu said that wrestling is in her blood so she does miss wrestling but she is focused on her goal at the moment and is not thinking about making a return in the near future. She also spoke about cousin Vinesh Phogat’s bright medal prospect in next year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
"She missed her medal last time (Rio 2016) due to injury. That was heartbreaking. Now she has qualified again and the country has high hopes from her. I am hopeful that she will bring a medal for India," Ritu concluded.
