This Girl Can- Mixed Martial Arts
Sukhmanjit Kaur, 3rd Year, Physics with Astronomy (Undergraduate)
I’m Sukhmanjit Kaur and I do Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). I have been involved with MMA for approximately 2 and a half years. I was always interested in learning a martial art but never got around to doing it until I began attending university in 2014. I came across the MMA club during Fresher’s Fair and straight away knew it was something I wanted to try out.
I attended the first session, which was a fitness and conditioning class and I remember just how challenging and difficult it was and how much I struggled to keep up but at the end of the lesson it felt like the most rewarding experience. The sore muscles and the pain just made me want to push myself even more each week. Ever since that first session, I have always tried to give it my all and improve.
Throughout last year, I competed in three different combat competitions, which was definitely something that I would have never expected of myself. MMA has become a very big part of my life over the past two years. Training has become the time when I feel most like myself, when I push myself to my limits and excel. It has not only been beneficial in helping me improve physically but also mentally in that it has taught me to be more disciplined, to extend my limits and be more focused even when it comes to my studies.
During the first semester of my 2nd year at university, all I did was train in preparation for various competitions and study as part of my course. The intensive efforts I put into my training actually helped me focus more on my studies.
Although I have only been involved with MMA for such a short time, it has really benefited my life in helping me grow as a person and build my character.
One of the greatest parts about training in MMA are the people you get to meet, interact and train with. I have met the most amazing people and my closest friends at MMA.
Although it is usually perceived as a very violent sport, it is hard to come across as much respect and reverence for fellow members anywhere else. It really feels like a big family where everyone supports each other, helps each other improve and excel and you can be certain that they will always have your back when you are at your lowest point. These were the people who pushed me when I needed it the most, these were the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
I think MMA is something that everyone, especially girls should try at least once in their life. It is something that will not only benefit you physically but also greatly strengthen you mentally. It will teach you how to protect yourself and how to be more confident and will help you challenge yourself and push your limits daily.
Although still regarded as a male dominated sport, in recent years we have seen increasing involvement from women in MMA. It is an amazing way of learning about yourself, finding and building a new self you are comfortable with and showing everyone and yourself what you are capable of.
Let’s break these barriers, show the world what we stand for and how there are no limits to our abilities!