Fedor Emelianenko started at an early age when it came to fighting, he wasn’t the violent sort, but he was always interested in fighting as an art. With the advent of Judo and the development of Sambo, those were clearly his two best choices. Sambo (Cambo), a Russian modern martial art, is a Russian acronym for “Self defence without weapons. Developed as a form of self defence and a sport, it was recognized in 1938 by the USSR all sports committee. Fedor’s interest in Judo was based on his Japanese roots and well known form of martial art. At a young age of ten, Fedor enlisted himself in the first of his training sessions, altering his path into a future full of respect and honour, formed by style and strength.

Quoted by his first teacher as being frail and underdeveloped for the sport, Fedor never gave up. He was always the type that knew what challenges laid ahead of him and never let doubt win. He attended High school like every other child and graduated without problems. During his primary education, Fedor never let his training interfere with his school work, thus showing his dedication to education and aptitude on top in every area of his life. Following high school, Fedor graduated from a professional trade school knowing that if his fighting were to end, he would always have something to fall back on.

Fedors’ training is and was non-stop, whenever he had free time and had finished his schoolwork, he would be off running or training himself to become the best of the best. Obviously aware of his trainers doubts and recognition of his weaknesses, Fedor knew what he needed to focus on, from 1995-1997, during Fedors period in the Russian Military, was stayed focused on his training goals and took advantage of his Military fire fighting role, he lifted weights and ran as often as could. Many had thought that he continued his training as usual while in the military, but his options were limited while serving his country, he made the best of what little he had. The period Fedor spent showed that he was loyal to his country, proud, but also that he was dedicated to his profession and his perseverance was without limited.

In 1997, Fedors endeavours paid off, he was recognized with the title of “Master of sports” in Sambo and Judo, at only 20 years old. Training 2 - 3 times a day was commonplace, simply wanting to maintain and improve his skills to become the person so many doubted that he was capable of. Fedor uses traditional methods, nothing advanced, to improve his skills. The jump rope is one of his favourite, improving his focus, increasing his coordination, and it was fun too. During his military stint, he used weights often, but after his designation of “Master of Sports” he exchanged most of the heavy weights for sport oriented training, e.g. wrestling, boxing and kickboxing.

A tough fighter, Fedor is also very modest, although he is recognized as one of the best fighters in the world, he sees himself as just being good, and not the best, but “good” for his weight class, but good is an understatement.