Edgar Kolyan: From Karate in Armenia to the Pinnacle of World Kudo

Edgar Kolyan is a name that carries weight in the world of kudo. A two-time world champion, two-time World Cup winner, multiple champion of Europe and Russia — his path began with karate lessons in Armenia and, years later, led him to the very top of the global stage. In this interview, Kolyan recalls his early days in sport, the obstacles and triumphs that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and the tournaments that remain etched in his memory.

“Edgar, how did you first discover kudo? What drew you to it?”

— I started sports at the age of six, joining a karate school in Armenia. When my family moved to Russia, I continued with karate but also took up army hand-to-hand combat. Eventually, I became Russian champion in that discipline. Later, my coach opened a new branch in Ivanovo and began promoting kudo. That’s when I tried it for the first time — and that’s when my professional journey truly began.

“How old were you when you moved from Armenia?”

— I was 12 when we settled in Ivanovo.

“So from six to twelve, in Armenia, it was exclusively karate?”

— Yes, that’s right.

“Do you remember those very first training sessions? What was the hardest part?”

— That’s a tough question. I was only six, and the memories of those early sensations aren’t so clear anymore.

“Then let me ask differently: what impression did your first kudo practices leave on you?”

— I think I first really felt the difference after moving to Russia, when I started training in hand-to-hand combat. Karate had its own style of fighting, but here it was completely different — you could grapple, throw, fight with almost no restrictions. That experience inspired me and prepared me for kudo in many ways.

“Tell us about your first serious kudo competition.”

— My first major tournament was the Golden Ring of Russia Cup. It was a national event that brought together the strongest fighters from all over the country. Most of them were far more experienced than me, but I managed to reach the final. There I lost to a very strong opponent — also Armenian. That tournament was the real starting point of my professional career in kudo.

“Which coaches or mentors had the greatest impact on your career?”

— It would be unfair to single out just one. At different stages of my career, I had different coaches, and each made a valuable contribution. In Ivanovo, I was guided by my coach in hand-to-hand combat and kudo; later, I trained under the coach of the Russian national team. A close friend of mine also played a big role — he always supported me. Together, they all helped shape the athlete I became.

“You’re a two-time world champion, a two-time World Cup winner, and a multiple European and Russian champion. Which of your victories means the most to you?”

— Without doubt, my first world championship in 2005. I was only 19 and became the youngest world champion in the history of kudo — a record I still hold. At that time, the internet and YouTube weren’t what they are today, so we knew almost nothing about our opponents or the tournament itself. To qualify, I had to fight through several selection rounds in Russia against the country’s best.

The tournament itself is unforgettable. The final was incredibly tough — nine full minutes of fighting, and only after extra time did the judges give me the win. That journey made the 2005 championship the most meaningful moment of my career.

“So to reach the world championship, you first had to beat the best in Russia?”

— Exactly. In my division then was the legendary Japanese fighter Ogawa — the 2001 world champion. He was seen as unbeatable, crushing his opponents with ease. Honestly, I thought I would probably lose to him, but I was determined to give him the hardest fight possible. I trained two or three times a day preparing for that.

But in the end, we learned he wouldn’t be competing. Back then, information was scarce, so it came as a surprise. In the final, I faced a Georgian national team fighter I had lost to before. We fought a grueling nine-minute battle — and this time, I won.

“Did you ever meet Ogawa later?”

— No, he retired soon afterward due to age. But we always had good relations and spoke warmly whenever we met.

“So you could say fortune smiled on him — he retired undefeated, never meeting you at the world championship.”

— Perhaps. But either way, he left a big mark on the history of kudo.

Edgar Kolyan’s story is proof that perseverance, hard work, and belief in oneself can lead to the very highest peaks. Today, he remains a symbol of kudo, inspiring a new generation of fighters. His words and his journey are a reminder to every athlete: true success is born where passion meets the will to go all the way.