Jiu-Jitsu is the art of using an adversary’s strength against them.

ONE championship women’s atomweight Rika ‘Tindydoll’ Ishige spoke recently with Thailand’s The Nation about the relentless bullying she suffered from her schoolmates because of her appearance. Now a star in her native Thailand, as a schoolgirl, she was disliked as she is of mixed Thai and Japanese descent. She now uses the painful experience to help her move through and above painful challenges.

When I was a junior in high school, I was bullied by the seniors because I am only half Thai, she recalled. At first, they made fun of me verbally, like calling me terrible names, and after that I was physically bullied. I got pushed from behind and had my hair pulled.

Ishige learning martial arts at age nine, and by the time she was in her 20s was practicing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She became a professional MMA fighter in 2017.

I started martial arts at a young age, she shared. It was to challenge myself. I did Karate, Taekwondo and Aikido together. I did not learn martial arts to hurt people. It is just for self-defense. I became stronger—not only physically, but mentally. I felt calmer and better at controlling my emotions. You cannot change others, only yourself. You should get physical strength by working out or practicing martial arts to protect yourself from physical or sexual bullying. Also, you will build mental strength for dealing with verbal bullying, including cyberbullying.

Now 29, Ishige fights Myanmar’s two-time national boxing champion Bozhena Antoniyar at ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES on 6 October. Ishige is coming off a loss to Filipina Angelie Sabanal at ONE Championship: Iron Will on 24 March, but she knows how to overcome painful pasts.

To succeed, you need to work harder each and every day,” she explained. “Most importantly, appreciate everyone and everything around you. Martial arts in Thailand has really taken off, and I am proud to be a part of its growth. I have progressed a lot so far in my young career. The possibilities are endless for me, and I will continue to work hard to make my family and my fans proud.

“Martial arts is my passion. I’m really happy when I share and learn new things about martial arts with others. I’m surrounded by people who support me in training. It makes me stronger. I am ready for this upcoming bout. I know I have a lot to work on with my skills, but I am hitting the gym hard every day, and I feel I have improved greatly as a martial artist. I can’t wait to show everyone what I have been doing. Martial arts is not about fighting. Its real aim is to empower both men and women. I would like to continue this campaign for everyone who doesn’t understand the beauty of this sport.”