Born Tall, Built Strong, Forged Unstoppable: How Roman Kryklia's Small-Town Roots Shaped a Multi-Belt Champion
- Black Belt Team
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The streets of Krasnograd in eastern Ukraine didn't offer much to its children. What it did offer was free time spent outside with friends, lessons learned through experience rather than textbooks, and the understanding that if you wanted something in life, you'd have to build it yourself. For a young Roman Kryklia, those humble streets became the foundation for something extraordinary.
On Friday, November 7, at ONE Fight Night 37, the towering 34-year-old Ukrainian stands on the brink of history. That evening, the reigning ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing and Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion challenges undefeated 21-year-old Turkish phenom Samet Agdeve for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title in a five-round battle. Victory would make the 6-foot-7 giant a triple champion and cement his legacy as one of the most dominant forces in the history of the striking arts.
The journey from Krasnograd's streets to martial arts' global stage required more than just physical gifts – it demanded the kind of resilience that only comes from growing up where every opportunity must be earned rather than given.
"People could not afford much, that's true. It was like that for most people, [but] not for a selected few, so not having much seemed normal. We used to spend most of our free time outside, hanging out with the boys on the streets – that was my school of life education," Kryklia reflected, painting a picture of a childhood where character was forged through circumstance rather than privilege.
In those streets, playing with friends and learning the unwritten rules of survival and camaraderie, Kryklia was developing qualities that would prove invaluable in his future career: toughness, adaptability, and the understanding that success comes to those who are willing to work for it.
When Kryklia started his martial arts training at just 6 years old, it wasn't immediately obvious that he would become a world champion. Talent needs cultivation, and physical gifts require discipline to transform into title-winning skills. What set the Ukrainian apart wasn't just his genetics, but rather the support system that refused to let those gifts go to waste.
"The secret of my success is a combination of discipline and dedication. My parents gave me good genes – I was tall and strong. But my dad and my coach made sure that I worked hard, and that I respected the gym and the ethos of martial arts," Kryklia explained, crediting not just natural advantages but the guidance that taught him how to maximize them.
This combination of physical attributes and discipline created a formidable prospect, but the path to professional success wasn't without obstacles. Like many young athletes, Kryklia faced the challenge of balancing his education with athletic ambitions – a dilemma that becomes exponentially more difficult when your sport demands full-time commitment.
"I tried doing both – boxing and studying – but it did not last long. After two years of problems, I transferred to Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University. There, they needed me to deliver good results in sports, and in return, they helped me pass exams. They were very understanding. The dean realized that first and foremost, I was a sportsman," he recalled, describing the practical solution that allowed him to pursue his calling without completely abandoning his education.
This arrangement represented more than just academic flexibility. In fact, it was recognition that Kryklia possessed something special, a gift worth accommodating.
Training with Team Champ Belts, Kryklia has compiled a stunning 51-7 striking record, but it's his ONE Championship run that has truly established him as one of kickboxing and Muay Thai's most dominant figures. Since joining the promotion, the Ukrainian has gone 7-0, with all but one victory coming via finish. That’s a testament to not just his technical skill, but his finishing instinct and frightening power.
When the towering Ukrainian steps into the ring against Agdeve at ONE Fight Night 37, he'll carry with him not just golden belts, but the dreams of everyone who has ever grown up in a place where success seemed like something that happened to other people, in other places.
Triple championship glory awaits. The boy from the streets is ready to claim it.