#TFGinterview: Athletes are the face of Indian youth - In Conversation with Chaitanya Gavali

The journey of Chaitanya Gavali from his struggling days supported by his family within the constraints of limited income to that of a global superstar is one of the most inspiring stories ever told in the Indian Mixed Martial Arts.

Chaitanya has a prolific career making his presence felt in most of the Asia's leading MMA promotions including Super Fight League, Kunlun Fight MMA, Yoddha Fighting Championship and WSOF. With a record of six wins out of his nine professional appearances, he is still going strong and determined to make his mark on the International MMA scene.

One of the core members of Team Relentless coached by ace Jitendra Khare, he lives up to his nick name - "Dangerous", by being the first Indian MMA fighter to hold two championship titles in a global mixed martial arts promotion.

Chaitanya was also one of the two fighters to represent India at the inaugural World Series of Fighting Global Championship held in China. Though known and feared for his striking abilities across South East Asia, Chaitanya is also a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

He has recently been contacted by Brave Combat Federation, which is the largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the Middle East. He was offered a contract to represent India in the upcoming events of Brave.

Q: What motivated you to choose Mixed Martial Arts?

A: Health was a matter of concern during my childhood. I was overweight and it was my dream to be strong and healthy. I joined a gym to learn mixed martial arts in order to lose weight. Over the time, I discovered that my passion for MMA was beyond fitness. I started to train to step into the cage. I discovered that this sport was my destiny and calling.

I have never experienced more passion in life for anything else other than for this sport.

Q: What was the most difficult challenge that you had faced in your career?

A: Getting financial support has been the biggest challenge. India has not yet recognized MMA as a sport and that makes it difficult to get sponsors. Hence, my only fear is that if I slip back, I will have to go back to my family business and may not continue what I love doing the most - fighting pro-MMA.​

Q: Can you disclose something about your training and about your team?

A: My training is headed by Nick Kilstein and Jitendra Khare. I keep receiving constant inputs from talented coaches like Darren De Silva, Shane Suzuki, Samith Bhat and Jophil Lal. My strength and conditioning routine is managed by Sujay Janardhan and my nutrition expert is Gauri Murthy. I have been fortunate to share the mat with a few of the top pro-fighters in the country and arguably, the best up and coming amateur fighters of Team Relentless. MMA is an individual sport but you cannot achieve anything without a good team. That is the philosophy of Team Relentless- my MMA team. We are a close knit family and believe that only with each other's support, can all of us succeed. When we train, we are all fighters on the mat, no one is junior or senior, everybody has the equal opportunity to question, contribute and improve the session.

Q: How was it like when you received a contract from Brave Combat Federation?

A: I was delighted but there was a huge responsibility to step up the game to a whole new level. Brave Combat Federation is very supportive and extremely growth oriented. We are indeed lucky that such a global Mixed Martial Arts promotion is turning its attention towards Indian athletes. Indian athletes have attained global recognition only through sheer determination. Each day we find out rising talent making their names heard in the global scene. The organization has achieved rapid progress under the determined leadership of Sheikh Khalid which is worthy to be praised.

Q: How do you evaluate the growth of MMA in India?

A: The growth of MMA in India was always driven by fans and athletes. Though events were celebrity centric during the initial days, there is a gradual transition of attention towards the athletes. When it comes to events, athletes drive the core content. Their personality, attitude, skill levels, diversity and representation has an intense story to communicate. Athletes have proved their worth in India and abroad. Globally they have achieved a higher level of success than in India, this is one factor that prompted Indians to gradually recognize the worth and value of the sport. This aspect has contributed to the growth of the sport.

Q: How can the sport of Mixed Martial Arts contribute to Indian society?

A: Athletes are the face of Indian youth and cultural identity. Beyond the sport they propagate the messages of discipline and determination. For India as a nation athletes are the sources of inspiration to look forward. They boost the morale of the youth. There is no emotion greater than the feeling you get when you see an Indian who stands tall in an International venue holding the national flag high. Those are the moments that drive the nation forward.

MMA has a lot of contemporary relevance as it can make individuals more disciplined, functional healthy. For a nation that spends a huge part of its budget in medical facilities and health, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is definitely in line with nation's priorities. Safety of women is a huge matter of concern in the Indian society, learning martial arts can resolve this to an extent. The sport gives individuals the confidence to face many of the daily issues in a different perspective. Ultimately I would name character development as one of the greatest gifts the sport can contribute to the society.

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