The next generation of women wrestlers

Ella Al-Shamahi speaks to professional wrestlers Xia Zhao from China and Divya Aale from India about their passion for the sport and what it’s like to be a woman in this industry.

Xia Zhao from China started martial arts at eight years old and later became a professional athlete in Chinese martial arts, known as wushu, including kung fu and kick-boxing. In 2016, she attended wrestling try-outs in Shanghai, which led her to move to the US and become the first Chinese woman to compete in a WWE ring. Her stage name today is Lei Ying Lee, and she was formerly known as Xia Li.

Divya Aale from India has been captivated by American wrestling since she was four years old. In her early twenties, she trained at the Continental Wrestling Entertainment academy in India, founded by former WWE star Dalip Singh Rana - better known as The Great Khali. She was the only woman living at the academy alongside 200 male wrestlers. Today Divya teaches women's wrestling in Singapore.

Produced by Elena Angelides

(Image: (L) Divya Aale credit Anjwan Noor. (R) Lei Ying Lee credit Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.)