Ritu Phogat meets her most complete opponent yet in ONE Championship Grand Prix Final
When Ritu Phogat landed in Singapore over two years back, she was uncertain of the life she was supposed to embrace. She had never lived away from her protective family before, and all her overseas trips had been restricted to wrestling.
Phogat, though, was certain of her goal—she wanted to be a world champion. What once sounded like a typically unimaginative but ambitious statement has turned out to be prescient, as Phogat finds herself one win away from her maiden atomweight title on Friday. If she wins this fight, she will have a shot at the world title.
Standing in her way will be Nong ‘Stamp’ Fairtex, the only fighter in ONE Championship to become a world champion in two sports, Kickboxing and Muay Thai. Both athletes boast of an identical 7-1 win-loss record and were initiated into combat sports by their fathers; while Mahavir Phogat changed the face of Indian wrestling by paving the way for Geeta, Babita, Sangeeta, Ritu, and Vinesh, Fairtex learned Muay Thai from her father at the age of five as a means to counter bullying at school. That is where the similarities end.
The 24-year-old Thai is an acclaimed striker with a sound standing game. Known for her kicks and hard punches, Fairtex also has a more-than-decent defence against takedowns, making her a good, all-round fighter.
By comparison, Phogat’s game is a little one-dimensional. The 27-year-old relies heavily on her wrestling to effect early takedowns before letting her strong right hand take over. The use of elbows and knees is almost non-existent. In Fairtex, she will meet her most complete opponent yet.
“I am not at all nervous, in fact, I am excited. I have studied Fairtex’s game and like every fighter, she has her weaknesses too. I don’t like to talk about my opponents’ weaknesses before the bout, but I have my gameplan ready,” she said.
Fairtex too claimed to have read Phogat’s game and has plans of her own. Part of it involves not letting the Indian run away with the bout early.
“She likes to control the game, but I haven’t seen her throw as many weapons as I would have liked. The challenge for me will be not letting her dominate the fight early,” Fairtex said of her opponent.
“I will keep my range to not let Phogat come close to me, and of course, I will use my kicks to strike her. I would love to knock her down.”
Phogat’s response was equally combative: “I will answer kicks with kicks. I am chasing the title as a tigress chases her prey.”
Her trainer at the Evolve gym, Siyar Bahadurzada, trusts Phogat to ace what he reckons will be a “chess match.”
“Stamp is a great fighter who possesses serious threat for Phogat, especially on the feet. However, Phogat has evolved a lot as a fighter and is ready for the challenge. It’s going to be a chess match," he said. "Our plan, like always, will be to take her opponent down and maul her. Phogat will do what she does best. “
The winner of this ONE Women's Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final will face reigning champion Angela Lee for a shot at the world crown. Come Friday, Phogat’s journey into the unknown may propel her where no Indian has been ever before.
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