Shraddh Rangarh is fighting against all odds and making her way to the top.
Her kicks have the power of a thunderstorm, and her fist hits like a power punch on an opponent's face. Her strength works in her favour, allowing her to step onto the podium and accept the golden garland. However, what lies beyond the limits of her strength is this world, the world of biases and inequality.
Kickboxing Asian champion Shraddha Rangarh has accumulated an impressive array of accolades throughout her athletic career, yet she feels that her achievements are still not receiving the recognition they deserve within her country. In a recent interview with HFM, she shared her perspective on the pervasive commercialization of only a handful of sports, which often leaves other disciplines in the shadows. Shraddha voiced her concerns about the prevailing imbalance in the country's athletic culture, emphasizing how this focus on a select few sports undermines the hard work and dedication of athletes in less celebrated fields.
The heart says
Reflecting on her journey, she said it was not easy coming from a conservative background and participating in combat sports as a girl. You could always feel hundreds of creepy eyes watching you, judging you and your parents, and hearing a barrage of negative comments for choosing a career that requires being away from home for long periods and wearing specific clothing. On top of all this, a lack of resources was a constant problem since the sport you chose is not very mainstream, making it difficult to expect much support from those around you.
Shraddha said "It was not easy to come this far with such little support. I stood up against all odds and invested a significant amount of my own money to train for the international stage—all without any strong backing. After all this effort, winning a medal for my state and country feels like heaven. However, this feeling quickly fades when you realize that those you represented on the bigger stage are least concerned about your victory. It is disheartening!"
Life Online
In addition to being an athlete, she is a young adult living in the digital age. This combat champion is also a popular Instagram influencer. During our conversation about her online journey, she described her experience on Instagram as bittersweet. She expressed gratitude for her Instagram community, stating, “This platform has given me so much: all the recognition, support, and it has even helped me promote my kickboxing career, the resources I get from brand collabs help in backing my training and tournaments.”
However, like any story, there are two sides to her experience. She added, “On the one hand, the internet has supported my career, but, on the other hand, Instagram has shattered my mental health when I faced its darker side.” Shraddha has been trolled online for her career choices and lifestyle. “It really breaks your heart and affects your confidence,” she said.
When this young athlete shares her inspiring story with us, our hearts are filled with both pride and shame. It is disheartening to hear that an international athlete, who has so much potential and numerous achievements, is struggling to fund her own training and tournaments. Regardless of whether the financial support comes from Instagram or other sources, the main concern is that an athlete should be able to focus solely on her performance, strength, and training, rather than having to support her career financially.
While having an online presence and creating content can be a viable career option these days, it should be a choice, not an obligation. When someone’s mainstream career is highly celebrated yet insufficiently rewarding, and they are forced to turn to side gigs, we need to reconsider where we, as a nation, stand.
The problem lies in the foundation
Our champion believes that the problem lies in the foundation. When asked what she thinks is going wrong, she emphasizes that the mentality at every level needs to change. At the local level, girls should be able to make their life choices freely without fear of judgment. At the national level, athletes should not have to struggle to find qualified coaches, access better equipment, or train in a stress-free environment. Furthermore, at the international level, after performing exceptionally well, athletes should not have to seek recognition.
This Powerpuff Girl has an important message for women everywhere: "My message spans all ages: do not stop dreaming because of others. Beyond the walls of your home, away from society and family, there is a world of your own that you can create for yourself. Manifest the life you desire and work towards achieving it."
Shraddha Rangarh’s journey is a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by athletes in lesser-known sports, particularly women in combat disciplines. Despite her immense talent and dedication, she is forced to fight not just in the ring but also against systemic inequalities and a lack of recognition. While her achievements deserve widespread admiration, the harsh reality is that she, like many others, is left to fund her own journey and endure mental strain due to a society that often overlooks the value of these athletes. Shraddha’s story urges us to reflect on the disparity in the recognition of sports in India and to reconsider how we, as a nation, can better support our athletes to ensure they can focus solely on their performance, rather than constantly battling financial and societal challenges.
Although the struggles are significant, Shraddha's dreams and determination are even greater. She aims to become a world champion and, in fact, the first world champion from India in her sport, regardless of the support she receives from the outside world. “I am here for myself,” she says. She believes that her family, her manager, and her Instagram followers are her strength on her journey.
Our girl is a one-woman army who wants to bring about change while paving her way to the top. Which she is very much sure of achieving. But as a society, what do you think is our role? What can we offer these athletes beyond questioning why India wins fewer Olympic medals?
Read Shraddha Rangarh’s empowering story now! Follow us for more inspiring journeys of strength and perseverance: Instagram | Contact Us.
