David Forster’s career has followed a unique trajectory, transitioning from aspiring tennis champion to establishing himself as an MMA fighter. At 26 years old, this Slovenian athlete is preparing to exhibit his skills once more at BRAVE CF 81 in a Super Lightweight bout against Chad Griffiths. Despite now being acknowledged as one of Europe’s most promising fighters, Forster’s childhood ambitions centred around tennis.
Forster’s captivation with tennis began in his youth when he came across the 2005 French Open Semi-Final, featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Inspired by Nadal’s work ethic, sportsmanship, and resilience, Forster set his sights on pursuing a career in tennis. He admired Nadal’s character both on and off the court, and this fueled his passion for the sport.
With dreams of emulating his idol, Forster devoted himself to tennis training, all while excelling as a football goalkeeper. Despite his success in football, the desire for independence drew him towards pursuing a career in tennis. However, unforeseen circumstances derailed his tennis aspirations when his parents’ divorce resulted in financial difficulties, forcing him to abandon the expensive sport.
The challenges brought about by his parents’ divorce and financial struggles took a toll on Forster, leading to a period where he felt lost and struggled with weight gain. Reflecting on this difficult period, he recalls, “It was difficult for me; I don’t really remember 2-3 years of my life, I was fat. Those years are just kind of a blur. I think I got over it in high-school, I just kind of accepted it and moved on with my life.”
It was during high school that Forster first dabbled in MMA, initially as a casual interest. However, after finding success in weightlifting, he rediscovered his passion for mixed martial arts and fully committed himself to the sport. From that point on, Forster threw himself into his MMA journey, ultimately leading to his upcoming fight at BRAVE CF 81.
Having faced various ups and downs in his sporting career, Forster firmly believes in the power of hard work and dedication. He reflects on his journey and asserts, “I feel like anyone can achieve anything with hard work, you just need to put everything you have into it and you can be successful in anything. I chose Mixed Martial Arts, but I am sure if I tried something else and worked hard as I am working at this, I could be successful in other things as well.”
As David Forster continues to make his mark in the world of MMA, his journey serves as an inspiring reminder that resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment can lead to remarkable success in unexpected ways.