Interview with Dimitri Shakuta (June 2002)

Dimitri is one of the world top middleweights with well over 100 fights to his name. He is trained in Belarus by a man regarded as one of the world's top coaches - Evgeni Kotelnikov. He is 7 times World Champion (WAKO, WAKO PRO, IKF), and European Champion (IAMTF, WAKO). He has beaten both Winston Walker and Pele Nathan.

Dimitri is competing in the $50,000 French middleweight tournament in Paris on 6th July (the tournament is under kickboxing rules now). The other fighters are: Nuengtrakarn (Thailand), Jeremy Morris (St Martin), Mourad Sari (France), Alain Zankifo (France), Ignacio Sanchez (Spain), Haseth (T&B) John Wayne Parr(Aus).

How did you get involved in muaythai?
My older brother took me with him to the Gym "Kick Fighter" where he was training in the group of one student of Mister Even Kitelike. After one year Even Kitelike took me into his group.

Do you train full time?
Yes from the age of 12 years.

How old are you now and how many fights have you had?
Now I am 21 years old and I have had about 130 fights.

Belarus has many strong fighters but years ago Belarus fighters were not known. Why have Belarus so many strong fighters now?
We have 3 very good educated coaches all the best fighters are from their groups. In Belarus to be a coach you must study for a minimum of 4 years at the Institute of Physical Culture and Sport. So far I have completed 3 years of study.

How many muaythai clubs are there in Belarus now?
We have 26 Gyms now. The 4 strongest are in the Capital of Bears - Minsk.

How did you get the nickname "Shock"?
My friends made this name up because of my surname Shakuta. They used to called me Shack and eventually that got changed to Shock.

Can you talk us through how you won your WAKO-pro world title against Winston Walker?

It was very easy f3 rounds, but after 2 knockdowns it was quite difficult to be under control. But I won by points.

How do you feel about you chances in the upcoming July 6th middleweight MO> tournament? Who do you think could be your most dangerous opponent?
I think I can win it - but I think that the most dangerous opponents are the Australian John Wayne Parr and the Dutch fighter.

What is your favourite technique?
My best technique is elbows.

What is your inspiration?
Our Inspiration - to be the best and to make something new in sport and in martial arts.

Who would you like to fight?
I'd like to fight the Dutchman Ryan Simpson.

After the July tournament what else do you have lined up?
I will be fighting in Poland and Macao (China).

Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
I wish to tell all the children in the World to be close to sport and stop smoking and taking drugs. I would like to invite people to Belarus , my beautiful country with 100 lakes and 70% territory of which is forests. You will love it!