Meet 23-year-old Jojo Rajkumari, Manipur's first woman MMA fighter

Imphal: Jojo Rajkumari is not your usual sportswoman. Coming from a humble background, which meant carrying out various small businesses, including selling street food, she's now setting her sights on the global arena and bringing laurels to her state and the country. For those uninitiated, Jojo, 23, is Manipur's first woman MMA fighter.

On Thursday, a function was held by the 13 Dogra Regiment at Brilliance School, Malom, Imphal to felicitate Jojo. During the function, it was also announced that the MMA fighter will be provided free ration.

"I will try to achieve more medals within the country in the MMA female category. But I am aiming to become champion in 'one championship' tournament so that the world could recognise that Manipur has such fighter who can compete in the international arena," Jojo said in the felicitation programme. Commanding officer Abhinav Kulshrestha added, "In a bid to promote Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Manipur for women fighters, 13 Dogra Regiment will provide free ration to first female MMA fighter Jojo Rajkumari till the commanding officer of the regiment is posted in Manipur."

Following the announcement, Jojo expressed her heartfelt gratitude to 13 Dogra Regiment, The Guardian Group and Jojo Support Group for giving necessary assistance in order to achieve her goals of becoming a champion of world event one day.

Abhinav had also said that he along with the regiment will extend all necessary assistance to the young female fighter for her to achieve her goals not only at the national level but also in the international arena. "As a fighter needs proper diet and gears while competing in big arenas and after seeing the potential in Jojo the necessary assistance was given to her," said the Commanding Officer.

During the function, the 13 Dogra Regiment had handed over some MMA gear to Jojo so that she could practice and use them for her future career.

Jojo started out as a kickboxer at a young age. She took part in several states and national events too. She has bagged 12 medals, including a gold and a silver, in kickboxing.

In 2017, she switched to MMA as a career under her instructor, Nandeibam Frank Mangang, of the Kanglei Mixed Martial Arts Club located at Singjamei Chingamakha in Imphal West. She has secured two wins so far.

Also read: Walmart to triple exports of India-made goods by 2027

Also watch: Naba Moran is new president of Moran Students Union