02:48Meet Nor Diana, the first hijab-wearing pro wrestler rocking the ring in Malaysia
Nineteen-year-old Nor 'Phoenix' Diana is reported to be the world's first hijab-wearing pro wrestler and has been rocking the ring in Malaysia for three years now. During a visit to one of her practice sessions in Puchong on Thursday, 'Phoenix' demonstrated her wrestling skills.
Nor Diana's interest in the theatrical combat sport started with the video games that she used to play with her brother, and with wrestling shows on TV. "He started watching wrestling on TV every week and since then, I got hooked on wrestling," stated 'Phoenix.'
Despite not having any previous background in sports, she reportedly wrestled in her first match as a last minute substitute after only two months of training and ended up winning the bout.
Standing at 155 centimetres (5.1 feet) tall and weighing 43 kilograms (95 pounds), she faces down much larger opponents in the ring.
Nor Diana's coach, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid, said that it was difficult at first to "bring her out of her shell." However, he added that he does not differentiate between how he trains women and men.
"Usually for girls what I would do is [that] whatever the guys need to do, she needs to do the same, exactly the same," explained Farid.
On July 6, 'Phoenix' was crowned Malaysia Pro Wrestling Wrestlecon champion, at an event in Kuala Lumpur. The crowd erupted in cheers, as she was seen breaking down in tears after winning the fight.
02:48Nineteen-year-old Nor 'Phoenix' Diana is reported to be the world's first hijab-wearing pro wrestler and has been rocking the ring in Malaysia for three years now. During a visit to one of her practice sessions in Puchong on Thursday, 'Phoenix' demonstrated her wrestling skills.
Nor Diana's interest in the theatrical combat sport started with the video games that she used to play with her brother, and with wrestling shows on TV. "He started watching wrestling on TV every week and since then, I got hooked on wrestling," stated 'Phoenix.'
Despite not having any previous background in sports, she reportedly wrestled in her first match as a last minute substitute after only two months of training and ended up winning the bout.
Standing at 155 centimetres (5.1 feet) tall and weighing 43 kilograms (95 pounds), she faces down much larger opponents in the ring.
Nor Diana's coach, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid, said that it was difficult at first to "bring her out of her shell." However, he added that he does not differentiate between how he trains women and men.
"Usually for girls what I would do is [that] whatever the guys need to do, she needs to do the same, exactly the same," explained Farid.
On July 6, 'Phoenix' was crowned Malaysia Pro Wrestling Wrestlecon champion, at an event in Kuala Lumpur. The crowd erupted in cheers, as she was seen breaking down in tears after winning the fight.