A 27-year-old Indian-origin mixed martial arts (MMA) student killed in a rare bear attack in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, has been identified as Hrishikesh Koloth, a boxer who dreamed of competing in the UFC, his family said.Hrishikesh Koloth was killed on May 8 while working at a uranium exploration site near Nordbye Lake, about 850 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon. He was employed as a contractor technician at the Zoo Bay property operated by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp.Originally from the Indian state of Kerala, he moved to Canada three years ago and lives with his brother in Penticton, British Columbia, CBC News reported. He trained in mixed martial arts for more than a decade, first in India and later in Canada, and prepared to pursue a professional fighting career.His brother Arjun Koloth said Hrishikesh’s lifelong ambition was to become a professional boxer.“That was his dream. That’s why he came here,” Arjun said. “He wants to be in the UFC.”He trained at the Scoden Martial Arts Center in Penticton, where his trainer had high expectations for his future. Arjun said he will start working as a boxing coach in Vancouver in June.“Work is just a means to an end,” Arjun said. “The end result is fighting.”Arjun said Hrishikesh was fearless and dedicated to achieving his goals. “He’s not afraid of anything,” he said.Arjun added: “Two days notice before the fight? It doesn’t matter. The opponent is heavier than him? It doesn’t matter. Win or lose, he just wants to fight.”Arjun recalls receiving the devastating news early in the morning.“An RCMP officer came to my house and knocked on the door and told me your brother died in Saskatchewan,” he said.After the attack, a civilian at the scene shot and killed the bear. The animal was later sent for necropsy.Hrishikesh, whose brother is now attending a funeral in Kerala, said he wanted his brother to be remembered for who he was: “I want him to be remembered for what he did. Innocent heart, warrior soul. Warrior.” I just want to say he fought. [the] Bear. Just like that…the bear didn’t attack him. He attacked the bear. “The case is considered extremely rare. This is only the fourth fatal bear attack in Saskatchewan history. The last such incident occurred in 2020, when 44-year-old Stephanie Blais was killed near her cabin north of Buffalo Narrows.
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