Hetal Dave is an Indian sumo wrestler. As of 2024, she is India’s first and only female professional sumo wrestler. She is ranked 5th in the list of the best female sumo wrestlers in the world. She received the Shiv Chhatrapati award from the Maharashtra government. She is also a judo trainer.
Wiki/Biography
Hetal Sudhir Dave (also known as Hetal Sujit Sharma after marriage) was born on December 8, 1987.36 years old; As of 2024) in Rajasthan, India. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Hetal holds a degree in Commerce.
Photo of young Hetal Dave
physical appearance
key: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight (approx.): 80kg
Hair Color: black
Eye Color: black
family and class
Hetal Dave was born in a Brahmin Rajasthani family.
parents and siblings
Hetal’s father’s name is Sudhir Dave. She has a brother named Akshay who is also a sumo wrestler.
Hetal Dave (far right) with his parents and brother.
husband and children
Hetal is married to Sujeet Sharma. The two got married on April 26, 2018.
Sujeet Sharma and Hetal Dave
job
Hetal Dave was interested in sports from a very young age and began learning judo at the age of five. She has been training in Judo for over 10 years. She was introduced to sumo wrestling when her coach Cawas Billimoria (Indian judo champion and expert sumo wrestling coach) discussed the sport. Hetal’s father and brother encouraged her to pursue sports. Training was difficult for Hetal as there were no female players to train with, so she started practicing with her brother and other male players.
Hetal Dave (left) practicing sumo with his brother
Since there were no sumo stadiums in India, she had to practice in open spaces. She began her training by observing men who enjoyed sumo wrestling, and then learned the basics of sumo wrestling through YouTube. Hetal began practice at Oval Maidan in South Mumbai. She faced problems getting funds to participate in events and championships. In an interview, Hetal spoke about the difficulties in raising funds:
The Association may only forward its name to the World Championship Organizer. We have to finance tickets, accommodation, basically everything. People don’t know much about sumo, so they don’t care. So, I have not been able to participate since 2012. “It’s so hard to hear that some potential sponsors say things like, ‘Radki hoke sumo kelte ho (You’re a woman, do you do sumo?).’”
There is a SUMO Federation of India in India, but it does not provide financial support. Hetal also provides wrestling and judo training to students from various schools. She is a member of the BJPC Institution Jr. He taught self-defense and judo at the College and Walsingham House School in Mumbai.
rally
In 2008, Hetal participated in her first international championship, the 2008 World Championships in Estonia. She was sponsored by a Gujarati businessman who came across her story in the Gujarati Mid-day newspaper. She also participated in the 2009 World Games in Taipei, Taiwan, where she placed 5th in the middleweight division. Hetal was the only female participant to represent India at the World Games. She also participated in tournaments in Poland and Finland.
Hetal Dave in a sumo wrestling pose
sumo didi
Sumo Didi is a film based on the life and wrestling career of Hetal Dave. It was released in 2023. It was the only Indian film to be screened at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival, being selected as a ‘Best of the Fests’ and receiving much applause. Actor Shriyam Bhagnani plays the role of Hetal in the film.
Still from Sumo Didi, a film based on the life of Hetal Dave
controversy
Case regarding bail prediction
Under the criminal jurisdiction of Bombay High Court, 2021, Hetal Dave has applied for anticipatory bail in connection with a case registered with Mumbai Police Station. The case involves charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to financial transactions and fraud. Sudha Sharma, the aunt of the complainant (Hetal Dave), has been accused of fraud in connection with a housing project. It was alleged that Sharma was accused of cheating by persuading Hetal to pay money under false pretenses. Hetal’s lawyer argued that the claims were fabricated. They highlighted the inconsistencies in the case and emphasized that Hetal’s involvement was very minimal compared to the actions alleged by Sharma. The court rejected Sudha Sharma’s anticipatory bail application but granted relief to Hetal Dave. The court also ordered Hetal to cooperate with investigators if necessary.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 2008, Hetal Dave’s name was listed in the Limca Book of Records.
- In 2009, Hetal Dave was included in Newsweek’s "150 Courageous Women” list.
- Hetal Dave won the Fempowerment Women Achievers Award in Sports in 2016.
- In 2019, Hetal Dave received the Women Super Achiever award at the 6th International Women’s Leadership Conference and Awards.
Hetal Dave posing with the Women Super Achiever award
- Hetal Dave holds the Yokozuna rank, the highest rank in sumo wrestling.
- Hetal Dave was awarded Femina’s Maharashtra Achievers Awards 2021 for outstanding contribution to sports.
Still from Hetal Dave’s acceptance speech at Maharashtra Achievers Awards 2021
tattoo
Hetal has a tattoo of an infinity symbol with the word "Faith” written on her left hand.
A photo of Hetal Dave with a tattoo on his left hand.
Facts/Quiz
- Hetal Dave is often called "Sumo Didi”.
- Hetal Dave loves animals and has a pet dog named Mogli.
Hetal Dave with his dog Mogli
- In an interview, Hetal said that he used to watch martial arts movies with Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee to inspire him.
- Hetal failed his 9th standard twice until he moved to another school that supported sports training.
- Hetal follows a strict vegetarian diet. In an interview, she said that her standard diet consisted of rice, dal, vegetables or dosa. She also said she occasionally ate junk food, such as McDonald’s "McAloo Tikki” burgers.
- When Hetal went to the 2009 World Championships in Taiwan, he had to borrow a mawashi (belt worn by sumo wrestlers) from the Japanese team who tied the belt to him because he didn’t know how to wear it.
Hetal Dave wearing a traditional sumo wrestling mawashi
