Girl, 18, trounces 3 guys at pro-wrestling event

SINGAPORE - Only 18, she took on three guys at a pro-wrestling event last week. 25-year-old Ronald Loh bravely faces her in the ring - and survives.

On Thursday, I was beaten up by a girl.

She first had me choking and struggling to break free from her iron-grip headlock.

I managed to push her away. But she bounced off the ropes and came charging back at me.

The next thing I knew, I flew backwards and crashed to the ground with a loud "thud".

Her thin but strong arm then returned around my neck and I was violently pounded to the ground.

The "match" was over.

I lost.

But in my defence, this was headline-making Lee Xin Yi.

At just 18, this female wrestler took on three burly guys and sent them all crashing at last week's pro-wrestling showcase event at Kampong Ubi Community Club's gym.

And like last week's showpiece, our fight sequence, which lasted barely a minute, was scripted.

Before you accuse me of trying to salvage my bruised ego, let me point out that that's just how pro-wrestling works.

Says Mr Andruew Tang, 24: "The winners of each fight are predetermined based on their work ethic in training, their ability to draw the audience and how well they've mastered the moves."

He is co-founder of the Singapore's first professional wrestling league, Singapore Pro Wrestling.

"The moves are hence choreographed between the wrestlers, and both parties know what to do," he says.

Miss Lee and I had indeed agreed on our roles earlier. Being more experienced, she was better off leading and taking on the complicated moves in our fight sequence.

It lasted a minute, yet required more an hour of preparation. You see, wrestling, like any other sport, requires its participants to possess the necessary footwork, drills and physical fitness.

So to start off, Miss Lee and I were put through some physical conditioning exercises.

"We'll begin with 150 squats," said Mr Tang.

My eyes widened and my mouth gaped.

My thighs burned and I was soaked with perspiration by the end of that set.

 But we weren't done. There were 40 lunges and 50 leg-lifts to go.

And Miss Lee matched us guys set for set - the sign of a passionate participant who has been a regular member of the gym since February.

"I do 50 crunches and six minutes of spinning the hula hoop every day," says the petite and toned Miss Lee.

"I have to work hard to keep up with the physical demands of training and make sure I don't fall behind.

"It's the only way I can improve if I want to become a pro-wrestler," she says.

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There was no respite afforded to me either. Once we were done with the physical conditioning, it was time for the basic drills.

First, Mr Tang had me "running the ropes". This involved sprinting across the 16m square ring in just three strides, turning your back against the thick red hemp ropes and bouncing and propelling off them.

Each run, turn and bounce meant the taut ropes gnawed at the skin of my back.

"Keep your posture straight. Look fierce. Lift your leg higher," Mr Tang yelled from the sides.

It took me 15 laps of "running the ropes" before Mr Tang was satisfied with my rookie performance.

Next, he had me practising my rolls. Front rolls, back rolls and side rolls.

Over and over again. If you thought the spongy ring floor served as a good cushion, you'll be surprised to learn that there is only 5cm of foam on top of the plywood - the explanation for the loud "thuds".

My back ached, my head spun and I meekly called for a breather.

After Mr Tang and Miss Lee gave sympathetic smiles at my sorry state, they proceeded with a demonstration of a fight sequence as I groggily lay at the side while clutching at the hemp ropes.

They began by engaging in a lock-up position. This involved grabbing each other's neck and elbows before Mr Tang swiftly twisted Miss Lee's arm and locked her wrist.

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She grimaced, gaped and gritted her teeth. But I soon found out she wasn't exactly in pain. Her dramatic expression, like the scripted moves, are part and parcel of the showmanship package.

Wrestlers keep their limbs relaxed while the moves, which are also performed with minimal force, are executed, says Mr Tang.

"If you tense up as your opponent twists your arm or leg, you might get injured.

"Wrestlers must know how to react to moves, such as jumping as your opponent 'lifts you off the ground, or relaxing your arm when your opponent twists it.

"The chemistry between wrestlers is very important. Coordination is key for every move to look fluid," he says.

After I was taught the basic fight sequence, which involved dropping like a sack on my back to simulate a knockout blow, I was ready to fight Miss Lee.

She glared at me from the other side of the ring - all part of the theatrical performance - as I shot back daggers.

We moved in on each other before engaging in a lock-up.

What happened next, you already know.

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As I left the gym on Friday, I realised wrestling isn't pure mindless violence. It's a high-drama, intense performance that requires meticulous preparation.

And with just an hour of training under my belt, it's no wonder I was soundly beaten by a girl.

Mum scolds me for wrestling

She minimises her shopping sprees so she can afford to pay for her wrestling sessions.

Not quite your ordinary girl?

But that's just how passionate Miss Lee Xin Yi, 18, is about wrestling.

"I started becoming interested in wrestling in primary school when my friend introduced me to the sport," says the second-year Republic Polytechnic student.

"I was particularly awed when I saw Jeff Hardy jump from 20 feet onto his opponent."

Watching the sport also helped her through a "rough patch" when she was being bullied in school, she says.

Today, the lean, mean wrestler is a physical force to reckon with - in the ring, that is.

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"After I started training with Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW) this February, I've become more confident of myself, my body and my fitness.

"There's also the sense of achievement when I complete the moves and how I managed to overcome my fear of heights with those high jumping moves."

She was the only female participant at last week's showpiece event organised by SPW at the Kampong Ubi Community Club's gym. Then, she was not afraid to take on three burly male wrestlers.

"I know I have to train harder to keep up with the physical demands of wrestling. As such I do push ups and squats in the shower," she says.

While she admits that she does not know if will continue to pursue a career in wrestling, she says she enjoys every minute of these intense sessions in the ring.

She even takes on ad-hoc jobs at events to pay the monthly $160 fees.

"I've never thought of quitting," she says.

She adds with a chuckle: "My mother gave me a good scolding after she read of my participation in last week's event.

"But that's not going to stop me."

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