26

Glam Halal | July-August . 2021

BY FATIHAH MANAF

Wrestlecon .

Diana , better known as ‘ Phoenix ’ in the ring , defeated four male opponents in the championship . Her win had attracted the world ’ s attention , and her name has been making global headlines ever since .

Trained by Ayez Shaukat-Fonseka Farid , Diana impressed the spectators with her skills and abilities . Whenever she entered the ring , she transformed from a reserved young woman into a phoenix , shrouded in flames and passion . The young female wrestler is also known for her signature moves - diving crossbody and tilt-a-whirl cutter .

Wearing the hijab wasn ’ t an obstacle to success for Diana . The inspiring pro wrestler had also made it to Forbes ’ 30 Under-30 list in 2020 .

She shares with Glam Halal her journey in pro wrestling .

When and how did you start getting involved in wrestling ? I started when I was 16-years-old . I started playing pro wrestling games on the PSP with my brother when I was 14 . I also looked for a pro wrestling school , which was non-existent until coach Ayez Shaukat Fonseka started the first wrestling school in Malaysia . I thought to myself , why not give it a try ? So , I contacted him to start !

Does wearing the hijab give you any challenges or difficulties as a pro wrestler ? I do not see the hijab as an obstacle . It is just a part of me , just the way I dress . I don ’ t understand why people would say that the hijab gives extra challenges or difficulties in anything . To me , it is just the way I dress . If there ’ s any , most likely , it comes from external perception rather than from myself .

Do you receive criticisms or issues being a Malay-Muslim girl in a sport like wrestling ? If yes , how do you deal with it ? Yes , terrible things have been said to me . At first , honestly , I was affected . But as time passed , things got old really fast . I learned how to ignore them .

How do you overcome your shyness or nervousness during your matches ? I am always shy , still am – and I still get nervous no matter what . Would you believe me if I told you that it is some sort of “ magic ”? I listen to my entrance music , and I switch characters , from being myself to becoming Nor “ Phoenix ” Diana . I just go out there ,

confident and ready .

Who is your biggest inspiration in pro wrestling , and why did you choose that person ? Back then , it was Sasha Banks , mainly because she too was small in stature . I like how she wrestled her style and make it work for her despite being on the smaller side .

How do you prepare for a championship ? I do many drills and endurance training because you need a performance-athlete level of stamina to do a wrestling match safely .

As a wrestler , do you subscribe to any healthy lifestyle in terms of diet and training regime ? I am put on a diet by my coach . I eat mostly healthy and hit specific calories and macros – and my exercise programme is designed to be more explosive and put on muscle .

Can you share some of the healthy lifestyles that you practise to stay fit ? My meals are precise . I weigh them and record them daily . I target specific grammes for carbs , protein and fats that I need to hit daily . This involves meticulous planning and meal prepping . For exercise , I go on hypertrophy and strength training , mainly using weights for resistance training .

Since wrestling involves many physical fights , how do you take care of yourself after the matches , both mentally and physically ? I would usually wind down after matches to recharge mentally and physically . Resting is