A former world kickboxing champion will step into the political arena after assuming his role as the governor of the Russian republic of Kalmykia.
Batu Khasikov — nicknamed ‘Batukhan’ — assumed his new position after Russian president Vladimir Putin named him acting head on March 21. The former fighter will replace outgoing governor Alexey Orlov, who held the post since 2010.
Khasikov, 38, is a Master of Sport in combat sambo and hand-to-hand fighting and took part in more than 200 contests throughout his amateur and professional career. He won several national and world kickboxing titles, including the WKA, W5, and WAKO titles.