Torepchi Dongak

Torepchi Dongak has been dreaming of representing Russia on a global platform since he started competing in martial arts. Now, that dream has turned into a reality.

He was born and raised in Ak-Dovurak, a small town in the Tuva Republic of Russia, and enjoyed his early childhood. But when he was nine years old, his father passed away. Despite the tough times, his mother, a midwife, supported him and his elder sister to the best of her abilities.

Although his dad left him at a very young age, one of his greatest contributions to his youngest child’s life was martial arts. His father sent him to a freestyle wrestling club at the age of six, and his first coach instantly recognized Dongak’s raw talents, taking it upon himself to improve the Russian’s all-around skill set.

Soon, the youngster became interested in kickboxing, and by the time he hit his teens, Dongak started competing nationwide. It didn’t come easy, however. After failing three years in a row, he finally won a Russian Kickboxing Title on his fourth attempt. Then, he claimed two Junior Kickboxing World Championships.

Dongak’s hard-hitting style piqued the interest of ONE Championship, who offered him a chance to compete on the global stage in early 2023. With the opportunity now in his hands, the 23-year-old hopes to make an instant impact in the world’s largest martial arts organization.