When Ritu moved to Singapore for her MMA career last year, she was forced to adapt.
When Ritu Phogat switched careers, from wrestling to mixed martial arts, she also underwent several other changes, including in her diet and workout routine. “My diet in India was a pehlwan diet. Pehlwani in India is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. You train in the akharas, you eat organic food, you have lots of almonds, milk, and ghee,” she said.
However, when she moved to Singapore for her MMA career last year, she was forced to adapt. “I’ve been enjoying cooking. It’s my stress buster. I tried many new dishes during the lockdown,” she said, adding how she had to include supplements, multivitamins and protein powders in her diet. “I follow a strict diet schedule that my coach has provided me with,” she said.
In addition, she also learnt other techniques. “Techniques like the takedown were easy for me, but I initially had trouble with striking and ju jitsu. I have since improved these too,” she added.
Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat & Deepika Kumari: Celebrating India’s Women Who Have Booked Olympic Berths
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While there are concerns that the coronavirus outbreak might postpone the international sporting event, these young stars are ready for the big games in Tokyo.
While there are concerns that the coronavirus outbreak might postpone the international sporting event, these young stars are ready for the big games in Tokyo.
Bhaker, all of 17 years old, secured India an Olympic quota at the ISSF World Cup last year. Though she missed out on a podium place in the 10-metre air pistol event in Munich, falling short by just 0.1 points, her fourth place finish was enough for her to qualify for Tokyo. “I think, even if I win the Olympic gold, I will still be hungry. Till the time I’m shooting, I will try my best so that my country feels proud of me.”
Bhaker, all of 17 years old, secured India an Olympic quota at the ISSF World Cup last year. Though she missed out on a podium place in the 10-metre air pistol event in Munich, falling short by just ..
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Archer Deepika Kumari won a gold in the women’s recurve event at the Asian Continental Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok last year, booking her place at the Olympics. While there was a doubt over India’s participation, following the Archery Association of India’s suspension, the ban was lifted earlier this year. “Everyone is happy that suspension has finally been lifted. We can now represent our country. We just now hope that they [AAI] don’t repeat their past mistakes and must learn from it.”
Archer Deepika Kumari won a gold in the women’s recurve event at the Asian Continental Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok last year, booking her place at the Olympics. While there was a doubt over Indi..
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One of the first Indian athletes to seal the Olympic qualification, wrestler Vinesh Phogat did so by clinching bronze in the 53-kg freestyle event at last year’s World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Doing so, she has also managed to get over the nightmare of Rio 2016, when a knee injury derailed her campaign. “Not just mine but everyone’s dreams were shattered when I was stretchered off in Rio. I would like to repay people’s prayers with my performance at the Tokyo Olympics.”
One of the first Indian athletes to seal the Olympic qualification, wrestler Vinesh Phogat did so by clinching bronze in the 53-kg freestyle event at last year’s World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Ka..
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Jat earned a quota for the Olympics, in the 20-km race walking event, after setting a new national record last month at the National Race Walk Championships. Clocking a record time of 1:29:54, she comfortably beat the Olympic qualification mark of 1:31. “There was a time when we lived in a mud house and ate only two meals a day, so the feeling of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics is great, to say the least.”
Jat earned a quota for the Olympics, in the 20-km race walking event, after setting a new national record last month at the National Race Walk Championships. Clocking a record time of 1:29:54, she co..
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The Indian women’s hockey team sealed its place in the Olympics with a fine performance at the FIH Qualifier in November last year. With this, the women have made it to two back-to-back Olympics, though the 2016 Games appearance came after a gap of 36 years. Captain Rani Rampal said, “We will need to peak at the right time, and going by the weather in Tokyo around the time of the Olympics, I believe fitness will play a huge part in how teams fare.”
The Indian women’s hockey team sealed its place in the Olympics with a fine performance at the FIH Qualifier in November last year. With this, the women have made it to two back-to-back Olympics, tho..
