Six Calcutta girls who had enrolled for kickboxing lessons because they didn't want to be scared anymore have gone on to become champions in this hybrid martial art that combines confidence with knockout kicks.
The group of six was part of the national team that competed with kickboxers from 51 countries in the World Diamond Cup in Russia last month and came back with six gold, three silver and two bronze medals.
The girls' performance at the event, organised by the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations, vindicates their coach Montu Das, who first noticed the spark that would take his wards beyond what they had set out to achieve.
Montu had taught five of them basic self-defence as part of the Calcutta police project Sukanya, which aims to give girls the confidence to get on with their lives without being scared of the threats that lurk on almost every street. So enthusiastic, skilful and committed were the girls that Montu decided to train them further at his private academy in New Alipore.
Metro met the super six that kicked up a she storm in the Russian ring.
Alisha Khan, 17,Class XII, St Thomas Girls' School
Loves her lipstick as much as her gloves and believes that a girl needn't try to be a boy to be tough.
"I am a fighter and a girl too," declared Alisha, who shares her height with Sushmita Sen, can pout like Priyanka Chopra for pictures and punch like her favourite actor Salman Khan.
Until a year ago, cooking crispy chicken had topped Alisha's list of interests. That was, of course, before she donned the gloves for the first time. Kickboxing has since become such an integral part of her life that she seldom finds time to bake and cook.
So, how has learning a martial art made a difference to her life?
"I was once taking a bus home after kickboxing classes when I noticed an elderly woman standing on the footboard of the vehicle and asking the driver to stop because she wanted to alight. The driver ignored her. I immediately confronted him and screamed: 'Stop!' He braked. The other passengers started clapping. That was a moment of realisation. Kickboxing has given me immense confidence," recounted Alisha, who is a yellow belt.
Alisha won silver in the 70-plus junior girls kick-light event and bronze in the light-contact competition.
Sahisnuta Sinha, 15,?Class X, Brahmo Balika Sikshalaya
Shy, calm and silent. That is Sahisnuta, till she puts on her gloves. The ever-smiling girl suddenly transforms into a fierce fighter with powerful low kicks the moment she is in the ring. Ask the opponents she vanquished on her way to gold in the minus-60 older cadet kick-light category and silver in the light-contact event.
A yellow belt, Sahisnuta's roots are in Kandi, Murshidabad. She lost her father, who was a navy officer, a few years ago but has not given up on his aspirations for her. "Kickboxing is not just about physical fitness. It's about focus and discipline," said the young fighter, who wants to join the Indian Police Service and fulfil her father's dream.
Sahisnuta's success has injected the "fighting bug" into her little sister. The Class III student recently enrolled for karate classes.
Anushka Nath, 14,?Class IX, Taki House Government Girls High School
She wants to be like Mary Kom and the ferocity of her punches reflects it, although only seven months old in kickboxing. According to coach Montu, Anushka was the surprise of the tournament in Russia. A yellow belt, she bagged two gold medals in the minus-55 older cadet kick-light event and the light-contact category.
Anushka's 5ft 6 frame is a big advantage, her long legs reaching an opponent's face in a flash. For her will to succeed she credits her parents. "Whenever I start faltering, all the efforts my parents (her father is a constable and mother a homemaker) have put to see me where I am start streaming in front of my eyes. I get up again," said the teenager, who turns 15 next month.
Anushka's favourite punching bag is her college-going elder brother. He doesn't mind as long as little sister is making all the right moves in the ring.
Priya Das, 20,?Second year, food and nutrition, Behala College
A day in the life of Priya starts with "frog jumps" and "a duck walk". This is a routine she hasn't changed in four years and her fitness proves the hard work behind it.
Priya loves her food but doesn't put on weight. The 20-year-old has been "eating hard" lately to add to her 44kg so that she can graduate to a higher weight category in competitions. "I need to do that to get better," said the college girl, who won a bronze medal in the minus-45 light-contact category of the championship in Russia.
Already a coach in five schools and colleges that are a part of the Sukanya project, Priya holds a green belt (senior) and her small 4ft 11 frame belies her power. "Being small has its disadvantages, but it also helps me to attack a rival above the waist without getting into her grasp," she smiled.
Dipannita Roy, 17,?Class XI, Surah Kanya Vidyalaya
Rough and tough - that's what friends call her. "They feel safe in my company," said the purple-belt holder who won two gold medals in the minus-60 junior girls' kick-light and light-contact events.
From a "lazy and sleepy" youngster, Dipannita has transformed into a "tough cookie" since starting to learn kickboxing. After two years in the ring, this spunky girl with roots in Jalpaiguri has developed a love for challenges and tough assignments. "I will not stop before I get into the army," said the teenager, whose father is an assistant sub-inspector with Calcutta police.
Pragya Sharma, 21,Commerce graduate from Shree Agrasain College, Liluah
The gutteral screams of "kia...kia...kia" from a room in her school first attracted Pragya to martial art. That was seven years ago. Pragya, now a green belt (senior), trains students in kickboxing at a Park Street school and is so devoted to the martial art that she practices six hours a day, 365 days a year.
The 21-year-old wants to complete her M.Com but her heart remains in kickboxing. According to coach Montu, Pragya's long legs and ability to be light on her feet make her a potential champion every time she steps into the ring. Her performance in Russia proved her coach right. Pragya won gold in the minus-50 kick-light category and a silver in the point-fight event.
How has learning martial art helped you? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com