For MMA fighter Ritu Phogat, fortune favours the brave!

Ritu Phogat. Pictures Courtesy/ Under Armour

Ritu Phogat, popularly known as the 'Indian Tigress' in the MMA fraternity, comes from a famed wrestling family. She has been training since the age of 8 and has several accolades to her name in her wrestling and MMA career.

Ritu hails from the famous wrestling family - the Phogats and has carved a niche for herself over the years on the mat and in the ring.

Her sisters Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat are reputed wrestlers and have tasted success in the field.

The wrestler-turned-MMA artist is now gearing up for her much-awaited bout at the upcoming One Championship tournament against Lin Heqin on July 30. She also eagerly awaits a possible rematch against Bi Nguyen after losing to her first match at One Championship: Empower.

Ahead of her bout, mid-day had the opportunity for a tete-a-tete with Ritu Phogat where she shared her thoughts on her opponent, her new collaboration with Under Armour and some lesser-known facts about the Phogat sisters.

Excerpts:

1 - What made you switch from the world of professional wrestling to mixed martial arts?
A - My Adventurous nature and also my curiousness and liking for the sport.

2 - In what different or unique way are you preparing for One Championship?
A - Now I am training in a different form of Martial Arts. Apart from Wrestling, I also train Muay Thai, Boxing, BJJ in order to become a complete Mixed Martial arts player.

3 - What are your thoughts on your opponent Bi Nguyen?
A - She is a good fighter and if given an opportunity for a Re-match with her, I will change the result.

4 - How does Under Armour help you with regards to MMA? Let us know the importance.
A - Every product by the brand is a quest to build authentic and innovative solutions that can enable athletes to perform better. Training is an intrinsic part of my DNA, it is my focus and a part of my everyday routine. The Under Armour gear that I am using are designed with research and technology to make me perform better and recover faster. Moreover, the brand's philosophy of expanding the limits of human performance is a source of inspiration for me and I am sure that my association with Under Armour will help me to rediscover and expand my limits.

5 - How does it feel to be a source of inspiration to women in India? What is your message for budding female wrestlers and MMA fighters?
A -Follow your dream, if you are serious then keep trying as fortune favours the brave. Don't let the world talk you out of your dreams, keep on fighting for it and one day you will look back and be proud of yourself.

6 - Can you tell us one lesser-known fact each about your sisters - Geeta, Babita, Sangita, Vinesh.
A - We all love playing Cards, we all love eating sweets and we all love each other very much.

Ritu Phogat is a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship as well as a bronze medallist at the Asian Championships.

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