When Risto Dimitrov came to Oman two years ago from his native Bitola, a town in southwest Macedonia, he knew he was in for a long tryst with the fitness community in the capital. As a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Coach and Events Manager and Coordinator of UFC Gym in Oman, he had his work cut out to enhance the fitness quotient of his trainees and raise the local MMA awareness to new levels. And he went about doing just that. One such was the awareness workshop in support of the world campaign for violence against women, held late last year.
A professional MMA fighter, Risto broke his two-year long hiatus from international events early last month with a thumping performance at the international ‘Impact Fight Night’ in Croatia, where he represented Oman and Macedonia and his clubs UFC Gym Oman and Igor MMA Sydney. Flushed with success from the event, he is set to grow professionally, both as a coach and competitor. “I want to serve as an example that anything is possible if you work hard for it,” he states, adding, however, that his “main challenge here in Oman is to revolutionise sports and Mixed Martial Arts and raise it to a new level.” He would also like to promote healthy lifestyle and sports among the youth.
Risto also has a Black Belt in Judo and is a certified life coach with active participation in different sports, including Spartan races and marathons. Besides, he has also competed in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling, Boxing and Kickboxing events.
He lives in Oman with his wife and eight-year old son, whom he calls his inspiration. “They are always supporting me in my career choices,” he muses.