Ridhima Bhanot is a Punjabi wrestler who recently won Gold Medal in 55kg weight division at Australian Wrestling Championship held in Sydney.
Ridhima also emerged champion at the Australia Cup 2017 in same category in Melbourne this year.
Ridhima came to Australia four years ago from Ludhiana, Punjab in India.
She is an international student doing a Bachelor’s degree in a Melbourne institute.
Ridhima works as a part-time aged care worker.
“I am not an Australian citizen at this stage. I am planning to file my permanent residency sometime soon. Once done, I will try my best to represent Australia at international competitions,” Ridhima told . 
Ridhima Bhanot during a practice session Source: Supplied
Ridhima started her sports career at a tender age of seven. She won 7 gold medals in Judo at various National Championships held in India.
“Before migrating to Australia, I was also part of India’s National Sports Authority. I had a couple of scholarships that helped me succeed in sports field of Judo,” said Ridhima.
“International wrestler Rupinder Sandhu is my inspiration. She has guided me to the ring. My coach Mr Ameen has also been very kind to provide training and much needed support.”
“There is no substitute for hard work. My friends, family and coach have always inspired me to achieve more and more.”
Ridhima wants to see an end to gender based discrimination in India and abroad.
Source: Supplied
“I loved watching Bollywood movie Dangal, which is based on the gender-based issues faced by two Indian female wrestlers Geeta and Babita and their father Mahavir Singh Phogat (character played by Aamir Khan).
“Not only movie but real life story has also inspired many Indian women to take to wrestling.”
“There are still certain small pockets in rural India where women are struggling with gender-based discrimination. But I never had that issue in my state of origin in Punjab.”
“I salute my parents for all their support and opportunities I ever had.”
“We should encourage women’s participation in sport. No wonder, India needs advances for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”
“As a progressive society it is our duty to fight inequalities and discrimination that is constraining women in sport.”
“I wish we could find more Indian-origin female athletes who could promote sports with their remarkable achievements.”
Ridhima Bhanot at SBS Studios, Melbourne (Photo Preetinder Grewal) Source: Supplied
