Celebrate Women’s Day Standing Strong
By Sukadev Karki
March arrives with purpose. The air in Nepal feels fresher, the days stretch longer and the world turns its attention to women everywhere. International Women’s Day on March is a moment to honor strength, resilience and the courage to claim space in places once considered out of reach. This year, as we reflect on themes of rights, justice, action, and giving to gain, let us celebrate the girls and women who step into the ring, the mat and the dojo. In combat sports, they are not just fighting opponents but they are also fighting stereotypes, building unbreakable confidence and inspiring entire generations.
Combat sports like Muay Thai, MMA, karate, taekwondo, boxing and kickboxing demand everything: physical power, mental discipline, strategic thinking and heart. For women in Nepal, entering these arenas often means pushing against cultural expectations, family pressures and limited resources. Yet they do it and they do it brilliantly. Their stories remind us that true strength is not about size or speed alone but about showing up, again and again and rising every time you fall.
The Rise of Women in Nepal’s Combat Scene
Nepal’s combat sports landscape is changing, thanks to trailblazing women who refuse to stay on the sidelines.
Susmita Thapa Magar has become a national champion in Muay Thai, holding her ground in the super flyweight division and earning WBC recognition. Sangita Dhami dominates in MMA, delivering powerful performances that leave opponents and fans in awe. Bivisha Shrestha made history as Nepal’s first female professional boxer, paving the way for others to lace up gloves. In karate, Arika Gurung has brought home historic medals, including silver at prestigious international events, proving Nepal belongs on the global stage.
These athletes face real challenges: balancing training with family expectations, funding their own journeys and overcoming the quiet judgment that combat is not “for girls.” Yet they persist. They train in local gyms, community halls and open grounds. They inspire younger sisters, cousins and neighbors to see that power is not masculine; it is human.
What Combat Sports Give Women
Stepping into combat training transforms more than the body. It builds layers of strength that carry into every part of life.
Physically, it creates resilience: stronger muscles, better coordination, explosive power and the endurance to keep going when tired.
Mentally, the benefits run even deeper. Training releases endorphins that lift mood and reduce stress. Facing an opponent or sparring partner teaches calm under pressure, quick decision-making and the ability to stay composed when things get tough.
Emotionally, combat sports offer empowerment that lasts. Learning self-defense techniques gives a profound sense of security. Knowing you can protect yourself shifts how you walk through the world: shoulders back, head high, unafraid. It breaks the cycle of doubt. It replaces “I can’t” with “I just did.”
For girls and women in Nepal, this empowerment ripples outward. A strong mother or sister in the family becomes a living example of discipline and courage. A young girl watching her aunt train Muay Thai starts to believe she can take up space too. Communities grow when women stand strong; they inspire safety, confidence and change.
A Simple Start for Any Woman or Girl
You do not need to become a champion overnight. Start where you are.
Try a beginner-friendly routine two or three times a week. If possible, find a local gym, karate class, or women’s self-defense group. Many places in Kathmandu and beyond now offer welcoming sessions for beginners.
Some popular names where you can start your combat sports journey – Strongest Muay Thai Pokhara, Rhino Muay Thai Chitwan, Erawan Muay Thai Bansbari, H2O Boxing Baluwater, Tapout Fitness Baluwater, Lock & Roll The Pump, DG Boxing Boudha, ARC Boxing Club Lazimpat, Boxmandu and Gymkhana Performance Gyaneshwor.
Start slow, stay consistent, and celebrate every small win: a stronger punch, better balance, or simply showing up on a tough day.
This Women’s Day, Stand Strong
To every girl lacing up gloves for the first time, to every woman stepping onto the mat after a long day, to every mother encouraging her daughter: you are seen, you are powerful, you are changing the story.
Combat sports are not just about winning fights; they are about winning back your own power. They teach us that strength comes in many forms: quiet determination, loud courage, steady progress. When women rise in the ring, they lift everyone around them.
This March, let us give to gain. Give time to movement. Give encouragement to the girls around you. Give space for women to be strong, loud and unapologetic. In return, we all gain a world where every girl knows she can stand tall, strike true and live without fear.
To the women of Nepal in combat sports: thank you for fighting, for inspiring, for standing strong. Your victories are ours too.
Happy International Women’s Day. Keep rising.
Sukadev Karki
NSCA-CSCS, CPT, CF-L1, FSN Founder / Faculty Head- National Youth Fitness Academy
Co-Founder – BEFIT Personal Training Studio
President – Nepali Youth Fitness & Calisthenics
