Vinesh will come back stronger and win an Olympic medal in 2024: Ritu Phogat | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The preparations are done, the stage is set and wrestler-turned-MMA-fighter Ritu Phogat is ready to roar in the final ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final against Stamp Fairtex.
Daughter of famous wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, Ritu, spoke to TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview about her MMA journey, family support, Geeta Phogat’s comeback, Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic medal-winning chances, and more.
How have the training and preparations for the MMA title bout been going?
I got just one month gap after my semifinal bout. Now, I am ready for the final. I am all prepared and raring to go. The training has been amazing and I worked really hard to reach this level. I have been in touch with my sisters and father. They keep motivating me for this big bout. They have asked me to relax and stay calm. Whenever I am feeling low, I speak with my father. He always says ‘never lose focus and keep your eyes on your goal’. My aim is to become the world’s best MMA fighter from India.
You have been an amateur wrestler as well. How much does your wrestling training help you in MMA?
Wrestling has played a big role in my MMA journey. It has helped me a lot. If you see the background of MMA fighters, most of them have been wrestlers. For a wrestler, it is easy to take down the opponent and that’s what helps in MMA. Wrestling helps you to control the ground in MMA. Wrestling has helped me a lot in my MMA career.

Do you use any wrestling daav (moves) in MMA on a regular basis?
Takedown, leg attack, holding – these three things are on top of the list. If you are a wrestler and know all these techniques, then the MMA journey becomes easy. In wrestling, we can’t punch an opponent, but in MMA we can. Wrestling also helps in maintaining control during a bout in MMA. It has made me strong both physically and mentally.
What role have your sisters – Geeta and Babita – and father Mahavir Phogat played in your overall career journey so far?
When I wanted to take up MMA, I spoke to my sisters first and then they spoke to my father. I wanted my sisters’ support in my journey and I knew they would support me a lot. I got a lot of support from my father. His support was very important for me. Papa said whatever game you play, whether wrestling or MMA, the Indian tricolor always flies high. He said to put the country first and then myself. I want to give all the credit to my father for whatever I am today.

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Any memorable childhood memories of your father that you would want to share?
My father kept our focus intact. He ensured that we got up at 4 and practiced and trained hard. A couple of times, I told him that I am unwell, injured and want to skip practice. It was always a big ‘no’ from him. He never allowed us to take a rest. I used to get frustrated or angry at myself at times but when I see myself today, I really feel proud.
An Olympic medal is missing from the Phogat sisters’ cabinet…
I am confident that the Phogat sisters will win an Olympic medal. My older sister Geeta has made a comeback and I am sure she will go to the Paris Olympics. Vinesh is there. Geeta and Vinesh will make our father’s dream of winning an Olympic gold medal come true in the 2024 Olympics. I am confident about this. I have learned a lot from my older sisters. They are very adamant. It is not easy to make a comeback after motherhood but Geeta did that and won a medal at the Nationals. Geeta and Vinesh will win gold medals in the 2024 Olympics.

Vinesh was in fact the top medal contender in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo but had a disappointing outing….
Vinesh trained really hard for the Tokyo Games but luck didn’t go her way. The biggest quality the Phogat sisters have is that they don’t give up. Vinesh is down but not out. She will come back stronger and will win a medal at the Olympics.

Your cousin sister Ritika Phogat died by suicide. That must have been a very tough time for the entire family…
It was a very sad day. The biggest problem in today’s generation is that they want to achieve everything in a short period of time. That’s a very bad approach. When they fail, they take some bad steps. They give up the sport and life. All I want to say is – you need to put in the hard work and face hurdles to achieve something big in life. You need to face difficulties and problems with a smile and confidence. Just believe in yourself. Please, please don’t give up. Just do your best, give your hundred percent, do a lot of hard work, and be determined and you will taste success. But, please don’t give up.