MARJAN BOLHAR.
A firefighter who has been combining his passion, his profession and sports for more than 28 years.
I started my sports activities in BMX tournaments, later I establised myself in boxing and experienced the peak of my career as a multiple national and continental kickboxing champion and master of kickboxing and aikido. I also filled the news with competitions for the title of the strongest firefighter in the world.
I constantly pass on my knowledge and experience in sports, discipline and motivation to younger generations, other athletes and entrepreneurs. I’m sure we can find an area together where I can help you become the best version of yourself.
MARTIAL ARTS
I began to achieve my first serious results in combat sports in boxing, when at the age of 15 I became Slovenia’s Best Youth Contender, under the watchful eye of the top Slovenian boxer, trainer and author Janez Gale. After a short amateur boxing career, I focused on kickboxing, where I quickly moved from national to international competitions and achieved several high-profile results. During my sports career, I appeared in more than 300 fights.
I won the national champion title 15 times, and I stood on the podium just as many times at international competitions, 10 times with a gold medal around my neck. I won gold on 3 continents (Europe, North America and Oceania).
I have achieved master levels in Aikido (1st dan) and Kickboxing (4th dan) and despite ending my competitive career in 2022, I am still working to improve my knowledge in various martial arts. I also achieved a level 2 boxing coach licence and a level 2 kickboxing coach licence with an A-license, both of which are the highest possible levels of licence for a trainer of the mentioned martial arts.
Strenuous training and constant competitions took a toll on my body during my sports career. I struggled with knee problems and had to rehabilitate both knee joints in the middle of my career. I tried to take this ordeal as an opportunity to learn more about myself and my limitations, and the long process of rehabilitation taught me that I can now help clients who are facing similar problems.
PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTER
In parallel with the competitions at the highest level, throughout my life I performed the fire service in various forms. Already at a young age, I worked as a pioneer in PGD Dob, where I still volunteer today and where I achieved the title of 2nd degree officer. Later, I specialized and became a professional firefighter at the Center for Protection and Rescue in Domžale. At the same time, I also work as a volunteer firefighter in the voluntary industrial firefighting association Helios.
Being a firefighter required the best possible physical and mental fitness from me, and I myself was ready to further test the limits of my capabilities. After a combination of hard work and lucky coincidences, at the 2018 WAKO Oceania Open Championship, after my victory, the then governor of California and famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was also present at the competition, wanted to meet me. During our conversation and after I told him about my firefighting journey, he invited me to compete for the title of “World’s Strongest Firefighter” in Santa Monica, California in 2020.
Of course I seized the opportunity and started long-term preparations. A year later I competed for the title of the Strongest Firefighter in the lineup of the 10 best professional firefighters in the world, as the only European in the competition.
For all my sporting and professional achievements, I have received a large number of awards from the municipality of Domžale (multiple times the title of the municipality’s sportsman of the year), fire brigades and the Olympic Committee of Slovenia.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Through many years of involvement in various sports fields, I have accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge, which I want to share with you. Regardless of whether you are a recreational athlete, an experienced competitor or a complete beginner, together we can find a way to improve your physical and mental fitness.
I founded the Domžale Martial Arts Club very early on, where I have been passing on knowledge to younger generations for many years. In recent years, I have expanded my activities to other areas. I advise and guide entrepreneurs and business teams, for whom sport and discipline represent a break from the efforts of working and stressful everyday life and help them to better physical and mental fitness, which is absolutely necessary to keep a step ahead of the competition.
I also run self-defense courses for women and the elderly, and with the help of volunteering, I try to contribute and give back to the environment that has supported me throughout all the years of competitive involvement.
I am already looking forward to us working together!
BOXING ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2003 - Slovenian national champion - 75 kg
- 2003 - Slovenia's Golden Fist
- 2003 - Slovenia's Golden Fist
- 2004 - Slovenian national champion - 75 kg
- 2004 - Slovenia's Golden Fist
- 2004 - Slovenia's Golden Fist
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2013 - Best athlete of the municipality of Domžale
- 2015 - Best athlete of the municipality of Domžale
- Recognition for many years of work and outstanding achievements of the Association of Professional Firefighters of Slovenia
- 2013 - WAKO a special trophy for the best fighter of all senior categories
- 2013 - the title of the Best Fighter at the World Kickboxing Senior Championship in Turkey
- 2014 - Silver plaque of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia for outstanding achievements
- 2014 - Special recognition of the Municipality of Domžale and the Institute for Sports and Recreation of Domžale
- 2016 - Silver plaque of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia for outstanding achievements
- 2021 - Recognition of the municipality of Domžale for special achievements for 28 years of competitions and 21 years of coaching
KICKBOXING ACHIEVEMENTS
- multiple (15x) national champion
- 2006 - WAKO World Cup Dublin (Ireland) - 2nd place
- 2011 - WAKO World Cup "Best fighter" Rimini (Italy) - 1st place
- 2011 - WAKO European cup (Italy) - 1st place
- 2013 - WAKO European cup Beograd (Serbia) - 1st place
- 2013 - WAKO European cup Turin (Italy) - 1st place
- 2013 - WAKO World Cup Antalya (Turkey) - 3rd place
- 2014 - WAKO American Open Championship Toronto (Canada) - 1st place
- 2015 - WAKO American Open Championship Toronto (Canada) - 1st place
- 2015 - WAKO World Cup Beograd (Serbia) - 3rd place
- 2016 - WAKO European cup Mareno di Piave (Italy) - 2nd place
- 2016 - WAKO World Cup Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), 3rd place
- 2018 - WAKO European cup Makarska (Croatia) - 1st place
- 2018 - WAKO Oceania Open Championship Melbourne (Australia) - 1st place
- 2019 - WAKO Oceania Open Championship Auckland (New Zealand) - 1st place
Absolute Warrior and Gentleman. Cheers 🍻
I also trained individually with Marjan, where he helped me improve my boxing/kickboxing techniques, where he is a real master in every sense of the word!
I think you are an excellent coach with a wealth of knowledge. You competing in NZ was very eye opening and i was grateful to learn from you mate 👍
I did one month of individual training with Marjan. Considering that it was my first encounter with kickboxing, I was impressed by Marjan's work and approach even after the first training session. The training sessions were very interesting and the entire work was professional, at the highest level. I will definitely come back 💪
I was lucky enough to train with Marjan as we were getting ready for the K1 world titles. He provided us with world class information and support and was definitely appreciated. He is a great coach and very capable.
Marjan is not only an exceptional athlete but also a remarkable individual. I had the chance to meet him and referring on his fights during the Wako Oceania championship in New Zealand. The audience was captivated by his remarkable skills and sportsmanship. Marjan also graciously assisted Team Australia by inviting them to train in Slovenia before the World championships, creating unforgettable moments and memories for the team. Can’t wait to meet you again
A GIFT FROM ME TO YOU.
I have prepared a free manual “10 Rules for Success“, in which I have combined the most important lessons that have helped me build a successful sports career and that can help you achieve your goals in sports, business or in personal life.
