Pooja Tomar’s journey began far from the bright lights of the UFC. Raised in Budhana, Muzaffarnagar, she grew up working in sugarcane fields after losing her father at a young age. Martial arts came later, after a school coach noticed her in karate at the age of 12, reports TOI's Vineet Ramakrishnan.
She went on to dominate Wushu, winning five national gold medals and representing India at the World Wushu Championships. Even after earning a government job offer, she chose a harder, uncertain path.
