LUCKNOW, Jan. 7 -- Uttar Pradesh's Khushboo Nishad became the first Indian woman to win a senior continental gold medal, at the amateur 2025 IMMAF Asian Mixed Martial Art Championships in Lebanon last month, a reward for her toil to raise funds for training. Khushboo, 25, who hails from Prayagraj, defeated Tajikistan's Barfina Rahmatullozoda in a fiercely contested women's atomweight division (47.6 kg/48 kg) final. The tournament was held by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). Pursuing MMA fights wasn't easy for Khushboo, who hails from a modest family. Financial constraints forced her to balance training with odd jobs, including work at a Hyderabad hotel after shifting to the city for elite coaching at the Indian Mixed Martial Arts Academy. "My win is for every girl who dreams big. I washed dishes and cleaned rooms to fund my training," said Khushboo, who said the victory has boosted her confidence to work harder for success in MMA - a sport which blends Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai, wrestling and boxing. Khushboo started her martial arts journey after taking up judo training as a 12-year-old. She later pursued taekwondo and then practiced karate, which she learnt from her father. A few years after taking up MMA, Khushboo has established herself as one of the strongest women in the circuit, after shifting to Hyderabad, a hub for MMA fighters. Her win in Lebanon also signals India's rising prowess in mixed martial arts, a discipline still finding its feet in the country. Khushboo put up a strong performance in Lebanon, dominating her quarterfinal and semi-final bouts with superior grappling and striking. The final tested her limits and Khushboo had to overcome exhaustion in the final moments before clinching victory. Glancing at her father's name inked on her wrist helped find late resolve, she said. "It was a difficult time for me and my father's name on my wrist was a reminder of his sacrifices. It gave me the strength to finish on top," Khushboo said on Monday. "I am from a family of sportspersons. My brother and father both did martial arts training and inspired me to pursue MMA fighting," said Kushboo, who wants to become a professional fighter soon. "Currently, I am training hard even in this winter. Turning professional will be on top of my agenda." Her next event will be the IMMAF World Championships in Serbia, in the second week of February....