Indian wrestling star Ritu Phogat quits; joins Singapore MMA

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Indian wrestling star Ritu Phogat
Indian wrestling star Ritu Phogat

New Delhi : Shocking but it’s true that wrestling star Ritu Phogat has said 'no' to her wrestling in India and joined Singapore based MMA organisation. Her career was at infancy when suddenly she announced her retirement and shifted to super camp in Singapore which is one of Asia's most decorated fight teams. She is now all set to develop herself as MMA fighter and compete in the sport of MMA.

Talking to Ritu, she expressed excitement in the start of her new journey and also expressed gratitude towards her management team at Birbal Sports and Entertainment, a leading sports marketing agency in India. The 24-year-old wrestler seems quite happy with her new choice of career.

“I am excited to have moved to Singapore to begin my new journey in mixed martial arts as a member of the Evolve Fight Team. My managers Birbal Sports introduced me to Evolve, and convinced me that this is the future. I look forward to the challenge of learning the various martial arts and broadening my skill set as a mixed martial artist. I believe Evolve MMA is the perfect place for me to make the transition into mixed martial arts and I am excited to learn from all the World Champions here in Singapore. I have a dream of becoming India’s first ever World Champion in mixed martial arts, and can’t wait to represent India on the global stage and make my nation proud,” said Ritu Phogat.

Speaking about Ritu Phogat's recent transition and her future, Ronak Dalal, Co-founder Birbal Sports and Entertainment, managers of Ms. Ritu Phogat said:

“MMA is very popular among the youth today and we wish to introduce the best to the Indian audiences. This is the first step for India’s foray into the world of MMA and Evolve MMA is the best fit fofr our Champion Ritu Phogat to convert into an MMA fighter. We wish Ritu becomes the first world champion for India.”

About Ritu Phogat

Remember Bollywood flick 'Dangal' and the Phogat family! Well, the movie is based on the real life story of Ritu's elder sisters Gita Phogat and Babita Phogat, both of whom are also wrestling champions and sports icons in India.  

Coming to Ritu Phogat, she is one of the very best female wrestlers in the world and was also the most expensive female wrestler in the 2016 auction of India's Pro Wrestling League. She has won numerous laurels internationally in freestyle wrestling. She is a gold medalist in the 2016 Commonwealth Games, a Bronze medalist in the 2017 Asian Games and a Silver medalist in the Under-23 World Championships. Ritu Phogat also finished at the no. 5 rank in the 2018 World Championships.