CAREER COUNSELLING
Mixed martial arts is considered an extremely challenging sport for girls as it combines techniques of grapping, striking, and wrestling. Known as “the arm collector”, Anita Karim from Hunza is a professional mixed martial artist, has won several accolades, and continues to break such stereotypes every day. For starters, she is the only female mixed martial art fighter in Pakistan at the moment.
Anita was quite young when she began practicing with her brothers. There were not enough resources available for her; it was a conservative society and it was only because of her family’s support that she was able to pursue her passion. She has come a long way since then, participating nationally and internationally in last few years and winning gold and silver metals.
“Before going to fight, I have one thought on my mind: that I have to win, not for myself but for other girls who are always considered weak in our society,” Anita expressed in an interview. “I want to tell everyone that this sport is for men and women alike. We are strong and can defend ourselves by learning this sport.”
Anita Karim has competed and won in Submission Grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Pro-Muay Thai and Pro-MMA. No other female athlete in the country has been able to do that so far. This feat is not easy and it is only due to her dedication and hard work that the entire world now recognise her as Pakistan’s first female Pro-MMA athlete.
In Pakistan, taking up mixed martial art professionally is very challenging. Anita usually practice her routine exercise with her brother because there are not many girls in mixed martial arts with whom she can practice. She has proved that girls can do anything if they are ambitious and focus on their interest. Family support definitely matters for them, but the individual willpower is what really counts to achieve their goals.
Anita Karim is an inspiration for both boys and girls for generations to come. Generally, mixed martial arts is still perceived as just a fight and nothing more. However, there are far more benefits of the game. With the different techniques and the self-discipline that it instills, it encourages individuals to pay more attention to their fitness. It is also a form of relaxation for human body. And given the troubling times we live in, boys and girls both can learn to defend themselves in precarious situations.
Anita Karim and her three brothers Uloomi Karim, Ehtisham Karim, and Ali Sultan are all pursuing the same career and perform very well for the nation as professional MMA fighters. They have also founded the mixed martial art gym Fight Fortress, which is the first MMA Training Center in Pakistan.