Hetal Dave (born 8 December 1987) is India's first and only professional female sumo wrestler.[1][2] In 2008, she made it into the Limca Book of Records.[3][4]
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Born | 8 December 1987 |
| Sport | |
| Country | India |
| Sport | Sumo |
She participated in the 2009 World Games held in Taiwan, but went out in the first round.[5][6]
Personal life
editHetal hails from Mumbai. Her father and brother were very supportive of her interests in pursuing the sport.[7] She is a commerce graduate and also trains students in wrestling and judo in different schools.[8]
Dave is a judo trainer and she started her judo lessons when she was 6.[7][9]
Training
editDave has no opponents to train with in India and as such has to practice with male players alongside her brother Akshay. India does not have a sumo ring, so she had to practice in natural terrain, and she chose Oval Maidan in South Mumbai.[6]
Her first international championship took place in Estonia in 2008. She came among the global top 8 and was included in a list of 150 fearless women by Newsweek.[10]
After Estonia, Dave has represented India in tournaments at Poland, Finland and Taiwan. At the 2009 World Games, she stood fifth in the women's middleweight category.[11][12]
Recognition
editDespite sumo wrestling not being amongst the recognized sports in India, Dave has represented India in several competitions.[13]
When she participated in the World Games she was the only female participant from India to represent the country and Sumo out of more than 200 games. She has represented India in competitions in Poland, Finland, Estonia, and Taiwan.
In Popular Culture
editIn a season of sports biopics, a biopic on Hetal Dave titled 'Sumo Didi' is being made. The film is directed by Jayant Rohatgi, and stars Shriyam Bhagnani in the title role. The film is produced by Freshlime Films and MA&TH Entertainment and presented by Jio Studios. [14] [15]
References
edit- ^ "Look, who's in the ring: Meet Hetal Dave, India's first professional woman sumo wrestler". Dnaindia.com. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Eat, pray, wrestle". Telegraphindia.com. 15 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Indian woman hopes to conquer Sumo". BBC News. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ TIWARI, KHUSHBOO (30 December 2016). "I am India's first and only female sumo wrestler: Hetal Dave". www.thishour.in. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ "Beauty and Brawn: Indian woman sumo wrestler at World Games". Zeenews.india.com. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Who says Sumo wrestling is confined to Japan? India's Hetal Dave is here to prove all your myths wrong". 16 March 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ a b "India's 1st Female Sumo Wrestler, Finds Getting To The Ring More Difficult Than Fighting In It!". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ Scroll Staff. "Watch: 'Should I wait for a biopic to be taken seriously?' says sumo wrestler Hetal Dave". Scroll.in. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ Travierso, Michele. "Peerless in the Ring: Meet India's Only Female Sumo Wrestler". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Ganesan, Ranjita (28 November 2015). "Hetal Dave: Breaking hard ground". Business Standard India. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ VagaBomb (10 September 2015). "Hetal Dave Is India's First and Only Female Sumo Wrestler, but Not Many Know Her". VagaBomb. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Her name is Hetal Dave, the only woman sumo wrestler in India! She's also ill-fated! – The Voice Of Nation". The Voice Of Nation. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Hetal Dave: Meet India's first and only professional female sumo wrestler". 9 August 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "From Tokyo To Palm Springs: Hetal Dave's Inspiring Story 'Sumo Didi' A Festival Favourite".
- ^ "Film inspired by India's first female sumo wrestler, 'Sumo Didi', to premiere at Tokyo Film Fest".
External links
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