Over the past two weeks, viral images of Belarusian wrestler Zakhar Dzmitrychenka competing in traditional Vietnamese wrestling tournaments have captivated social media, sparking widespread curiosity and admiration for his impressive performances and unique presence in the local sport. 

Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Dzmitrychenka shared insights into his life in Vietnam and his journey into wrestling in the Southeast Asia country.

Born in 1996 in Belarus, Dzmitrychenka is a world-class athlete, having won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the world level.

With his tall stature, strong physique, and striking appearance, he quickly gained attention when he debuted in Vietnam’s traditional wrestling tournaments, held in various villages after the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet) break, which lasted about a week from January 29.

His dominance over several seasoned opponents further fueled interest in his story.

When Tuoi Tre met Dzmitrychenka for an interview, the European wrestler still bore fresh battle scars from a wrestling match in Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

However, he smiled and said he was fine.

“These experiences bring me great joy,” Dzmitrychenka said.

“Traditional Vietnamese wrestling is slightly different from mixed martial arts (MMA), where I competed in the 84-kilogram category in last year’s Lion Championship. I enjoy testing my strength against different opponents.”

Dzmitrychenka and his wife first arrived in Vietnam in 2023, choosing Nha Trang, a tourist city on the south-central coast, as their home. Their journey to the country happened almost by chance.

“We were traveling in Bali, Indonesia, for about a month when some friends invited us to visit Vietnam. I fell in love with the country and decided to find work so that we could stay,” Dzmitrychenka recalled.

“I got a job at a gym and later signed with my current management company.”

The Belarusian wrestler quickly grew fond of Vietnam’s natural beauty, delicious cuisine, and friendly people.

“Vietnamese food is amazing, full of fresh vegetables and fruit. I love seafood as well. And the people here are incredibly kind and welcoming,” he said.

Before moving to Vietnam, Dzmitrychenka was a physical education teacher and personal trainer in Belarus. His passion for martial arts and travel drove him to seek new experiences abroad, ultimately leading him to his new home in Vietnam.

“My life here is fantastic, and I want to stay long-term. Money isn’t everything for me. The earnings from wrestling matches barely cover my trips to Hanoi, but I love the thrill of competition,” he said.

“I also enjoy the adventurous aspect of traffic in Vietnam – I love riding motorbikes. My wife is a bit scared, but she’s fine when she rides with me.”

Dzmitrychenka currently works as a fitness coach in Nha Trang while continuing to train for MMA competitions.

His wife, Karina, is a photographer who balances her professional work with supporting Dzmitrychenka’s career.

After Tet 2025, Dzmitrychenka’s Vietnamese coach, Khoa Nguyen, introduced him to traditional wrestling competitions at village festivals. 

Intrigued by the sport’s heritage and physical intensity, Dzmitrychenka eagerly took part in it. His powerful performances and charismatic presence quickly made him a fan favorite.

“I woke up one morning to find my social media flooded with notifications and messages. I was surprised by how many people were following me,” he said. “It was exciting to see my image spreading, and it has led to more wrestling opportunities.”

After his wins over multiple Vietnamese wrestlers, including national medalists, fans began speculating about a possible match between Dzmitrychenka and Vietnam’s wrestling legend, Ha Van Hieu.

Nicknamed ‘Hieu khong lo’ (Hieu the Giant), Hieu stands 1.92 meters tall, weighs 130 kilograms, and is a Southeast Asian Games wrestling champion.

“I’ve talked to Hieu, and he’s a great wrestler. I’d love to compete against him,” Dzmitrychenka revealed. “He told me we’d have to wait and see how things are arranged.”

Despite his enthusiasm for traditional wrestling, Dzmitrychenka remains committed to his primary goal – winning the 84kg MMA championship at the Lion Championship. However, he plans to continue wrestling whenever the opportunity arises.

“I always want to challenge myself against strong wrestlers to see where I stand," he said.

"Vietnam has many great wrestlers, but I don’t know why some are hesitant to fight me.

"I respect those who take the challenge. If you want to be strong, you have to fight strong opponents.”

After two years in Vietnam, the 29-year-old Belarusian wrestler considers the country his second home. He credits his wife Karina for being his biggest supporter throughout his journey.

“I don’t know how to encourage him beyond simple words like ‘keep going’ or ‘you can do it," Karina said.

"I can’t help him as much as his coaches, but in daily life, I try to do things that make him happy.

"We both love living in Vietnam. Despite some language barriers, everything is great.”

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