A 27-year-old Indian-origin mixed martial arts (MMA) trainee who died in a rare bear attack in northern Saskatchewan, Canada has been identified as Hrishikesh Koloth, a fighter who dreamed of competing in the UFC, according to his family.
Details of the Incident
Hrishikesh Koloth was killed on May 8 while working at a uranium exploration site near Nordbye Lake, approximately 850 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon. He was employed as a contractor technician at the Zoo Bay property operated by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp.
He was originally from Kerala, India, and had moved to Canada three years ago, residing in Penticton, British Columbia with his elder brother, according to CBC News. Koloth had trained in MMA for over a decade, first in India and later in Canada, and was preparing to pursue a professional fighting career.
A Dream to Fight in the UFC
His brother, Arjun Koloth, said Hrishikesh's lifelong ambition was to fight professionally. "That was his dream. That's why he came here," Arjun said. "He wanted to fight in the UFC."
He trained at Skoden Martial Arts in Penticton, where his coaches had high expectations for his future. Arjun mentioned that Hrishikesh was due to begin work as a boxing coach in Vancouver in June. "Job is just a means to an end," Arjun said. "The end was to fight."
Arjun described Hrishikesh as fearless and committed to his goals. "He's not scared of anything," he said. "Two days notice before a fight? Doesn't matter. Opponent heavier than him? Doesn't matter. Win or lose, he just wanted to fight."
The Bear Attack and Its Aftermath
Arjun recalled receiving the devastating news early in the morning. "An RCMP came to my door and knocked and let me know that your brother has passed away in Saskatchewan," he said.
A civilian at the site shot and killed the bear following the attack. The animal was later sent for a necropsy. Hrishikesh's brother is now in Kerala for the funeral rites and said he wanted his sibling to be remembered for who he was: "I want him to be remembered for what he does. Innocent heart, fighter's soul. Warrior. And I'd just like to say he fought the bear. That's all … bear didn't attack him. He attacked the bear."
Rarity of the Incident
The case is considered extremely rare. It is only the fourth fatal bear attack in Saskatchewan's recorded history. The last such incident occurred in 2020, when 44-year-old Stephanie Blais was killed near her family cabin north of Buffalo Narrows.
