Reel to real: ONE Championship sets stage for MMA 'Dangal' in China

Published on 15-Nov-2019

Khushboo Razdan

Aamir Khan's Bollywood blockbuster "Dangal" is coming to life in Beijing, China on November 16 with one of the real Phogat sisters making her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut for Singapore's ONE Championship in the Chinese capital.

Ritu Phogat, who clinched a gold medal for India in the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship, is the third daughter of former wrestler Mahavir Phogat, the character played by Khan in the movie, which made the Phogat family a household name in China.

In an exclusive interview with CGTN Digital, the 25-year-old former wrestler said the location of her first MMA fight has made the occasion even more special.

"Since the venue for my debut match is in China, my confidence has already been boosted. I'm aware that people here know and love my family and our story. I think it's an advantage for me that my first match is happening in China," she said.

"People have already seen the movie here, but they couldn't see a real-life Phogat. This is a good opportunity for the Chinese people to come and watch a real Phogat fight it out in the ring. It's going to be really exciting."

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