Ritu Phogat, a Commonwealth Wrestling Gold Medalist, is a true inspiration in Indian sports. She comes from the famous Phogat family, known for their wrestling achievements.
Her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, is a celebrated coach who trained several family members and inspired the hit film Dangal.
Ritu started wrestling at the young age of 8. She was so focused on her dream that she left school early to train full-time.
Her dedication paid off—she won three Indian National Wrestling Championships and a gold medal at the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in Singapore.
In 2017, she made history by winning a silver medal at the World Under-23 Wrestling Championships in Poland, becoming the first Indian woman to do so.
Many believed she would represent India at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but she surprised everyone by choosing to pursue Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) instead.
She moved to Singapore to train at Evolve MMA with world-class fighters. After a short break for motherhood, Ritu returned to MMA in 2025, aiming to become India's first female MMA World Champion. Her journey continues to inspire many.
