Kickboxing WC Winner Shraddha Rangarh Shows What It Means To Fight 'Like A Girl'

From an early age, martial artist and fitness tutor Shraddha Rangarh endured many stereotypes and regressive gender roles in her conservative family. These challenges only fueled her spirit to prove doubters wrong and channel her energy into combat sports. Her unwavering resolve has claimed her victory on the world stage, where she recently clinched four medals for India at the 2024 WAKO World Cup in Uzbekistan. She won gold in the Senior Female Musical Form Hard Style and silvers in three other categories.

Rangarh has yet again made history at the Asian Kickboxing Championship 2024. She has become the first Indian to win two gold and two silver medals in a single tournament. 

In an interview with SheThePeople, Rangarh reflected on her ascent to glory and the hurdles she crossed along the way. The 20-year-old martial artist recalled how it all started out of sheer determination to break free from societal norms but soon turned into an indispensable, meditative part of her life.

Fighting Barrier

Shraddha Rangarh is a pro in many combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They are more than just sports for her, as she expressed, “Whenever I enter the ring for a Tatami match, it gives me a different kind of pleasure. I feel like ‘This is who I am.’ I don’t find that peace anywhere else.”

Rangarh’s passion for sports started at a young age as she explored many games before finding her true calling in martial arts. However, growing up in a traditional Pahadi family in Faridabad, she encountered scepticism, even from physical education teachers and coaches, for pursuing combat sports as a girl. 

She expressed, “Girls are often stereotyped for household tasks or limited to certain sports like Kho-Kho or Kabaddi, rarely given opportunities in sports like boxing. This bias pushed me to pursue my sport. It made me realise the limits placed on women due to physical stereotypes, and I decided to prove them wrong.”

“My interest grew when my physical education teacher discouraged me, saying, ‘You can't box because we don't have boys to compete with you’… Even my earlier coach wasn't supportive, believing boys were more likely to win international medals.”

Rangarh also faced challenges in getting her family’s support. “Coming from a family of high achievers, they expected me to focus on academics,” she recalled. “Neighbours often asked my parents why I was involved in sports instead of studies. They believed girls weren’t suited for such activities and urged my parents to stop me.”

Overcoming Obstacles To Earn Global Laurels

Despite these struggles, Rangarh’s confidence and grit empowered her to chase her sporting dreams and earn laurels. Today, she stands tall as a G-1 international taekwondo medallist, a two-time Asian Championship gold medallist, and a national gold medallist with the School Games Federation of India.

Achieving these feats took years of dedication, self-discipline, and even some sacrifices. Rangarh shared, “Since the beginning, I've been training from 4:30 am to 9:30 am, followed by three to four sessions throughout the day. I hardly have time for anything else, but this has become my way of life, and I love it.

“When you know what you need to do and where you need to be, it feels like there's no choice but to pursue it. Over time, consistency turns into a habit, no longer requiring effort or extra thought…  I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything—I’m truly enjoying where I am and what I’m doing.”

Witnessing Rangarh’s impressive growth, she has finally gained the encouragement of her family. “Now, they support me a lot and show interest in the events I participate in. They help me with my diet, routine, and schedule. They simply say, ‘Go for it. Work hard for yourself, play your best, and the results will follow!’”

Rangarh is also a renowned fitness content creator, who goes by UnfitoFit, fondly known as India’s Tatami Queen. She has over 1.6 million social media followers, with whom she shares her sporting journey, workout and combat tutorials, as well as her love for anime. She was also crowned Miss India Fitness 2022.

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Pressure And Mental Health

As a high-performing athlete, Rangarh is no stranger to the pressure that comes with expectations to win. “Pressure is something we create for ourselves, pushing us to reach our highest potential,” she said. However, when times get hard, she has perfected a formula to manage the stress effectively.

“I handle pressure by reading specific books before a tournament. I usually read books by Michael Phelps, who has won multiple gold medals. I aspire to be a multiple gold medalist in my field as well… Initially, I didn’t know how to deal with pressure. I would constantly worry, thinking, ‘How will I do this? How will I finish this quickly?’ But now, I've embraced a different mindset, similar to meditation. I've learned that how you think and approach things really matters.”

Rangarh mused about how journaling has been another reliable stress buster. “I started journaling at 15 after losing my first national competition, where I won bronze. I began noting what to focus on and what to avoid. This has helped me tremendously, providing clarity when it's difficult to understand myself.”

Rangarh also spoke about the importance of mental healthcare in sports. “I also read certain books and have taken sessions with a sports counsellor, which have contributed to my growth,” she described. She shared that while muscle memory is important, a healthy and focused mind is equally crucial in the ring.

“It all comes down to a few words that guide you, whether inside the ring, outside the ring, or before the match. Ultimately, it’s just you. Your mind plays a crucial role, not your body… When you’re in the stadium, no one else matters; you have to be true to yourself and focus on your work that's it,” she expressed.

Message For Young Athletes

Through her uplifting journey in martial arts, Shraddha Rangarh hopes to create a welcoming and inclusive space for more girls and women in sports. Sharing some words of advice for aspiring athletes, she said, “Do what makes you feel like yourself. Focus on your journey rather than just the results.”

Rangarh is a strong believer that good things come to those who work hard. “Remember, people may try to pull you down, so prioritize your growth and happiness. Also, ensure that you make your parents proud, as they will likely ask you many questions. Answer them with your best results,” she expressed.

Lastly, Rangarh recalled the biggest takeaway she got from pursuing sports. “To be a good sportsperson, you must first be a good human being. Never enjoy the misfortune of your opponents simply because you are stronger than them, and never abuse your competitors or coach. Consistency is key; it shapes you into a person whom others truly admire and allows you to become a better version of yourself.”