Puja Tomar inspires Indian parents to support daughters

Puja Tomar, the first Indian woman to fight in the UFC, revealed that her parents didn't want her because she was a girl. This moment from her past helped shape her strong character and determination. Tomar's story begins in Budhana, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India. In her culture, having male children is often preferred. Many families believe that sons will continue the family name and care for parents in old age. This attitude has contributed to a significant gender imbalance in India. Tomar was the third daughter in her family. This led to negative remarks from others, but she remained undeterred. After losing her father at a young age, she was inspired to challenge gender norms. She began training in martial arts and aspired to compete in sports. In June, Tomar made a successful UFC debut and is set to face Irish fighter Shauna Bannon in London. She uses her platform to encourage parents to see the value in daughters. “Give confidence to your girls, give belief to them,” she urged. Since joining the UFC, local parents have shown interest in enrolling their daughters in martial arts, a sign of changing attitudes. Despite her achievements, Tomar faced many obstacles, including limited training facilities and societal restrictions. At the age of 24, she began serious training in mixed martial arts. Initially, it was challenging due to the lack of resources in India. Eventually, she moved to a gym in Bali, Indonesia, where she continues to train. Tomar remains focused on her goal of success in the sport. She wants to prove that women are capable of much more than traditional roles. "I just want to work hard and keep going," she said, expressing her ambition to reach the top of her sport.