Ritu Phogat admits seeing father Mahaveer's soft side for the first time post COVID-19

2016 Commonwealth gold medalist Ritu Phogat has been through a tough four-month period amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Ritu's sisters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari are also Commonwealth medalists and rose to fame after Aamir Khan's 2016 sports drama Dangal, where Bollywood star played role of Mahaveer Phogat, ir far and trainer.  patriarch of Phogat wrestling family is t kwn to be soft-hearted and Dangal's soundtrack h a special mention for him, with song 'Haanikaarak Bapu' based on Aamir Khan's character. However, Mahaveer Phogat has ditched his gruff version for daughter Ritu Phogat, who is currently all alone in Singapore. 

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Ritu Phogat mits mental battle during COVID-19 lockdown, seeing far's soft side

Ritu Phogat h a promising start to her Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career winning both her bouts so far before COVID-19 lockdown dampened her preparations. Phogat h shifted base to Singapore last year to participate in Evolve MMA and while she has started spectacularly, she is still early in her MMA education and is very much a beginner at striking aspects of sport.

26-year-old h returned to India in February after her win over Taiwan's Wu Chiao Chen but flew back to Singapore days before COVID-19 lockdown. Her practice at Evolve MMA centre was also affected with Singapore issuing strict regulations to man spre of coronavirus. Since n, Ritu Phogat has been living alone in her flat and mits to being frustrated. Amidst lockdown, Phogat told ESPN that her far would call her every night to check on her.

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Mahaveer Phogat was supportive of her decision to switch from ring to a c and was very concerned for her because of unfamiliar surroundings his daughter is dealing with. former wrestler ded that she felt really lonely on her birthday, and would stay up past 1 or 2 AM just so she could play online Ludo with her Dangal sisters. Ritu Phogat's training also was affected but she revealed that she focused on home workouts to work on her fitness and conditioning.

Phogat said that in a bid to t lose her striking abilities, she watched YouTube videos and practices m a heavy punching bag to stay in shape. She revealed that she asked her former coach Drian Francisco to assist her virtually with sessions. 

Ritu Phogat said that last few months have taught her a lot. She mits being attached to her family and while y are great wrestlers, y couldn't be of much help since y are far away and MMA isn't a sport y kw much about. During lockdown, Phogat reveals he re motivational books, learned to cook and practised meditation to avoid negative thoughts. Ritu Phogat is keen on finding positives and believes her sole focus on striking will pay off when she steps up in c. Things are getting better for her as Evolve MMA gym opened in first week of June but contact training is still ot permitted due to COVID-19 guidelines. 

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While One Championship, promotion with which Ritu Phogat started her MMA career, h halted all competition since February 28 owing to coronavirus pandemic, y are expected to resume competition in Bangkok on July 31. Phogat isn't competing re r has she been given a date for her next fight but she expects to be competing within next couple of months. Ritu might t kw when she will step inside ring again, she is rey to surprise everyone with her punches and is erly waiting for her next match.

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Aamir Khan's Dangal is a 2016 Indian Hindi-langu biographical sports drama film directed by Nitesh Tiwari which is loosely based on Phogat wrestling family. Dangal features Aamir Khan, who stars as Mahavir Singh Phogat, a pehlwani amateur wrestler who trains his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become India's first world-class female wrestlers. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra portrayed ult versions of two Phogat sisters, Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar play ir younger versions.

Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Dangal was a record-breaking commercial success, becoming  highest-grossing Indian film ever, fifth highest-grossing n-English film ever and highest-grossing sports film worldwide. 

(Im Courtesy: Ritu Phogat Instagram)