LADYSPORTS: Welcome to LadySports, Sofia! Tell us, when did you first get into the sport?
SOFIA RAMIREZ CASTILLO:
I got into wrestling when I was about 10 years old, but I didn’t start training until I was 17, and I
haven’t stopped ever since!
LS: What was your biggest influence to become a wrestler?
SRC: I think as kids we are all heavily influenced by John Cena, but as I grew older Rey
Mysterio caught my attention and I was able to start picking out what made every wrestler great,
and I’ve tried to learn from that to be able to apply it to my experience.
LS: What other sports do you have an interest in?
SRC: I have been a dancer since I was eight years old. The performing arts have always
been something that I rely heavily on. Whether it’s any type of dancing, aerial hoops, aerial silks,
or any circus related skill. I try to know a little bit of everything and keep my workouts fun and
different.
LS: How would you describe yourself in terms of personality, likes, dislikes, and strengths?
SRC: The second I read the question, the first word that came to mind was stressed. I take
things very seriously when I am passionate about them, which leads me to stress about them more than
I probably should. Whether it’s school, wrestling, sign language, or any other activity that I am truly
invested in and that I want to succeed at, I make it a point to give it all my effort, which unfortunately
can have some negative effects on my personal life.
However, opposite to that I do like to have a lot of fun and have a bubbly personality to spread
positivity to the best of my ability. Depending on the situation, I can get a little feisty too,
it all truly depends on what is going on at the moment and how I react to it.
I definitely think that my discipline and my drive are two of my greatest strengths, but my unrealistic
expectation to reach perfection usually tries to frustrate my efforts.
LS: And what is your most marked characteristic as a wrestler?
SRC: I think that my flexibility has come through along the years. Many people know that
I am a dancer and I think that shows in my movement in the ring as well as how I portray myself in general.
LS: Describe a typical day of training for you. What is most important in your workout?
SRC: Typically at training, I will do some rolls to warm up and then follow along the class
that my trainers have in mind. But once I am out of the ring, I usually go to practice silks or Lyra,
where I can practice my flexibility as well as my strength, and it gives me a chance to relax my body
while listening to the beat of the music.
LS: How would you best describe your ring style?
SRC: I try to keep it varied, and learn as much from all of the styles that each trainer
has allowed me to learn from. I like to adapt to my opponents and try to keep things varied, but I’ve
been in love with lucha since Day One. It has a super hero feel to it that has always drawn me into it.
LS: What moves are you best known for?
SRC: High cross body, spinning heel kick in the corner, split mafia kick and split stunner.
LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
SRC: More times that I’d care to admit. It is a very dangerous sport, but we all know what
the risks are when we step in the ring, and it is all about the passion with which we deliver the match
and try to protect ourselves to the best of our ability.
LS: Who have been your toughest opponents?
SRC: Natalia Markova was the first girl that came to mind!
LS: Who are your allies?
SRC: I like to think that everybody that I’ve come across has helped me in a way and I’ve
learned something from all of them. So in my perfect world, we’re all here to support each other and
encourage us to do better.
LS: What has been your most memorable win?
SRC: Falls Count Anywhere match against Marina Tucker.
LS: And what was your worst loss?
SRC: I don’t think of any loss as a bad one, simply an experience to learn from and
improve from.
LS: Who is the one wrestler you would most like to face in the ring, but haven't yet?
SRC: Ivelisse Velez. I’ve been lucky enough to have had some training with her, but I’ve
never had the chance to have a match against her. I think I can learn so much from her and with all
of her talent and knowledge I would be able to benefit greatly and improve as both a wrestler and a
human being.
LS: What type of match do you enjoy the most?
SRC: Any match that poses a challenge for me, and that is able to get the crowd into it,
where they enjoy it as much as I do.
LS: And what sort of reactions do you get from people when they learn you are a wrestler?
SRC: “WHAT!? You!? So skinny!? I would’ve never imagined.” 80% of the time, that’s the
reaction I get. But once the shock wears out everybody seems to have a smile on their face. Something
about the thought of the way I look and getting beat up or vice versa amuses them. I personally always
enjoy the reactions I get.
LS: What are your fans like?
SRC: They’re incredible. They’re weird, fun, supportive, and a little crazy. Just like me!!
I love relating to them and being able to share my story with them.
LS: If you had the power, what one thing would you do to improve the sport?
SRC: Make sure that people are fully trained before getting in the ring. So many injuries
happen due to people that are not fully ready to have a match and leads to a possible injury. I have
great respect for the ring, so it definitely saddens me to see some individuals in it without having
finished the proper training regime.
LS: Where have you wrestled, and what titles have you held?
SRC: I’ve been lucky to wrestle all over Florida, Georgia and Costa Rica. I was the first
ever Go Wrestle Women’s Champion, first ever FXE Women’s Champion, and I am currently the WXW Women’s
Champion.
LS: What has been your most unforgettable moment in the sport so far?
SRC: My Falls Count Anywhere match, and my experience wrestling in Costa Rica.
LS: Any regrets?
SRC: I only regret the things I don’t do.
LS: What would you do if you couldn't be in wrestling?
SRC: I'd be a dancer or something relating to the performing arts.
LS: What is your personal motto?
SRC: Always follow the adventure, regardless of what other people think of it, because
everybody has an opinion but nobody has a solution. So just do you. Just be and let others be.
LS: What would make you most happy in life?
SRC: I think people have a misconception of happiness. Most people relate happiness to being
healthy, having money and the perfect job, but you can’t ever truly have all three. To me, happiness is
being genuine and making great things out of whatever you have. It’s about wonderful experiences and
creating memories. Sure, there will always be struggles, but the important thing is how you handle them
and what you take from them. I enjoy the journey and always try to live in the moment. To me that’s
happiness, and I feel happy as it is.
LS: And before we go, is there anything else you'd like to add?
SRC: I’d just like to encourage people to be kind to one another. To encourage each other
and bring each other up. I want people to have fun, to relax, and to just let go a little bit. Go travel
the world. Eat what you want. Don’t worry about other’s opinions. Don’t be so focused on the details, and
try to focus on the bigger picture. Life is too short, go have as many adventures as you can, because in
the end, the memories are the only thing that goes with you. Live a life you’re proud of, and when you
make a mistake, learn your lesson and move on.
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me!
