Meet Syed Rashida Simnani is a young Belt Wrestler from south Kashmir who teaches the skill of self-defense to Kashmir girls

A humble girl from a small family of Drabgam in Pulwama, Rashida won bronze medal in National Belt Wrestling at 62nd National school games organised by National School Games Federation of India at Pune city of Maharashtra and silver medal in international taekwondo championship which was also held in India.
Due to conservativeness in Kashmiri society, and more so rural areas, she also faced difficulties in pursuing career in sports, “But I was very passionate, fearless and determined towards belt wrestling which enabled me to set new landmarks and win awards,” she told Brighter Kashmir.
Her journey in the field of sports started when she was in 8th standard at Maxwell Secondary School Pulwama where her physical teachers recognised her talents and provided her support and right training.
“I got a break in 2016 for under-19 National Baseball Tournament held at Chandigarh where I played with full zeal. After that, I got selected in belt wrestling in 2017 at Pampore Higher Secondary Institute and it was for the first time that I played belt wrestling. I was instantly attached to the game,” she said.
Her skills and good performances fetched her selection for National Belt Wrestling held at Ahmadnagar Maharashtra where she bagged bronze medal among 14 players from Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2018, she represented Al Jawad Sports Academy at Delhi on third International taekwondo championship and bagged silver medal. In 3rd International Taekwondo championship, “I participated as senior female above 68 kg kyuragi from India. I was also selected for certificate course at Sports Authority of India (NSIS) Patiala in health and fitness,” she said.
Her achievements were noticed by Dr. Haseeb Drabu, former JK minister for finance, labour, employment and culture who felicitated her and wished her great success.
“To my surprise, I was offered the job of coach at Women Degree College M.A Road Srinagar on contractual basis for one year. During that time, I helped girls master the art of self-defence,” she said.
The fitness freak from Pulwama uploads her practice sessions and training classes regularly on social media especially on Instagram. In her videos, she is seen explaining the art of belt wrestling with fine training and master class techniques.
“During my stay at the college, I pursued B.A course,” she added.
What she has learned so far, she is returning to her society, “I have organised various events at Pulwama related to belt wrestling in which more than 200 students were trained with the timely help from Youth Services and Sports department,” she said.
In 2017, when mysterious braid choppers were terrorising the entire Kashmir, she felt the need of providing training to female folks about self-defense. In this regard, she took an initiative by giving right and accurate training of martial arts and self-defense to girl students in more than 10 local schools of Pulwama.
Asked about the relation between self-defense and belt wrestling, she asserts that belt wrestling is a part of martial arts and self-defence in which one has to grab a belt and put the opponent down on the mat.
For her success, she credits her family, coaches and friends who always inspired and motivated her. “My ultimate aim is to represent India and to clinch gold medal in Olympics,” she said.