Photo courtesy of Capital MMA and Elite Fitness
In the past ten years, the popularity of mixed martial arts fighting has exploded. As a result, gyms across the country have opened, each specializing in various styles of martial arts and a roster of fighters hungry to make a name for themselves. And while women make up a small minority of fighters, there is a dedicated core hoping to step outside stereotypes and show that the beat-ups and take-downs aren’t gender specific.
Local fighter Iman (Achhal) Castaneda is one of those women. Fighting out of area gym Capital Jiu Jitsu, she has already created an impressive record for herself with five amateur fights, four of which were wins and one a tie, and a pro record with two wins and one loss.
So what’s the hardest thing about being a woman in a sport dominated by men?
“Finding opponents!” said Achhal. “Not finding enough female fighters to fight me is a very frustrating thing.”
Just like many young men, Iman points to a particular moment when the urge to fight took hold.
“When I watched my first amateur fight, it just clicked,” said Achhal. “Something inside was burning and I felt that I could be really good. It just felt right.”
Achhal isn’t without her support system either. While some people might raise an eyebrow at female MMA competition, Achhal has received the opposite reaction.
“My husband loves everything about my career path. I get a lot of support from him, my step kids, my brother, sisters, and friends.”
Achhal knows that despite the lack of funding for MMA in DC, the big money that might remain elusive, and the limited professional opportunities to score big fights, there are more important reasons for lacing up the gloves and boots.
“I fight because I love the sport. I love the challenge. I love pushing myself and testing my skills against other prepared fighters.”
Pregnant now, Achhal will deliver her “first little fighter” in June 2011 before she steps into the ring again. But once she’s back to fighting form, she expects nothing less than a return to competition.
