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.
The home I grew up in… I grew up in the town of Bitola. Growing up in the early ‘90s was pretty hard, considering the economical and political circumstances of that time. I come from a working class family and we faced many difficulties during that transitional period. But all of those struggles back then made me what I am today.
When I was a child I wanted to… Be either a soldier or a professional fighter – and I have achieved both of my childhood dreams.
The moment that changed me forever… While growing up, I was bullied and beaten up by other kids almost on daily basis. One day, while playing on an arcade game, a kid punched me and told me to leave. I quietly stood up, and yet he hit me again for no reason. That, I can say was a breaking point for me; the moment I realised that I must stand up for myself. I started training kickbox and martial arts. No one bullied me ever again.
My greatest inspiration… My mother, for the way she brought me and my sister up, through all the hard times, teaching us to be humble, honest and strong human beings. She taught us that the only way to accomplish things is by working hard and being honest.
My hero… I must say, I am my own hero. It may sound too pretentious, but being through all that I have been through and coming to this point now, I definitely see myself as a hero.
If I could change one thing about myself… I wouldn’t change a thing. All my ups and downs, all my good and bad decisions and even all my mistakes, made me the person I am today.
I dream of… If there is one thing I would like to achieve professionally, more than anything, would be to win a gold medal in the Olympics.
What I see when I look in the mirror… I like the person looking back at me – ha ha…
My greatest regret… I can’t say I regret much. I try to turn each of my mistakes into a lesson and make the best of it. It’s just like in a fight: all your wrong moves will be punished by your opponent and that is how you will learn not to repeat them again.
You may not know it but I’m no good at… Math!
You may not know it but I’m very good at… Cooking! I love to cook for my friends and family.
If I have time to myself… I would really love to upgrade my university degree.
My house is… The place where I come back to relax and rewind. It looks more like a home now that my family is here, so I try to spend as much of my free time with them as I can.
My favourite weekend spot in Oman… Al Mouj Beach.
I will not leave my house without… My phone.
Things I like about Oman… I love everything about Oman; I consider it my second home. I love the Arabic culture and the Omani hospitality; I love the sea, the beaches and desert, old forts and green mountains. It is the only country in GCC that has all of this and I am very happy to be here.
A book that changed me… ‘Thus spoke Zarathustra’ by Friedrich Nietzsche.
On top of my wish/bucket list is… To try free-fall sky diving at least once.
My success mantra is… Never give up, never surrender.
In 10 years’ time, I hope to be… I hope to be in the same shape I am today.
