A man who aspired to be a professional mixed martial arts fighter, Hrishikesh Koloth, 27, from Kerala, India, tragically lost his life in a rare fatal bear attack in northern Saskatchewan on May 8. Hrishikesh had been working as a technician at a uranium exploration site near Nordbye Lake, operated by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp, where the incident occurred.
Hrishikesh had a passion for MMA and had been training for over ten years, starting in India before continuing his journey in Canada after relocating three years ago. He resided in Penticton, B.C., with his elder brother Arjun Koloth, who described him as a fighter and a dreamer. Arjun shared that Hrishikesh had ambitions to compete in the UFC and had been training diligently at Skoden Martial Arts in Penticton.
Arjun recounted the heartbreaking moment when the RCMP officer informed him of his brother’s passing in Saskatchewan. The bear responsible for the attack was shot and killed by a civilian at the site. UraniumX Discovery Corp expressed condolences to the family of the deceased contractor.
Hrishikesh was set to begin a new job as a boxing coach in Vancouver in June, emphasizing his dedication to pursuing his fighting dreams. Arjun remembered his brother as a humble, fearless individual who cherished his family and had an unwavering passion for combat sports.
Arjun, currently in Kerala for his brother’s funeral, wishes for Hrishikesh to be remembered as a courageous fighter and dreamer. He highlighted Hrishikesh’s fearless spirit and determination in the face of challenges, emphasizing his brother’s fighting nature even in the tragic encounter with the bear.
The fatal bear attack on Hrishikesh marks only the fourth recorded incident of its kind in Saskatchewan’s history. The last fatal bear incident in the region occurred in 2020, involving Stephanie Blais, near her family’s cabin north of Buffalo Narrows.