Hottie of the Week: Hamid Rahimi

He has smashed his way into our hearts with his chiseled Hazara features and the ability to fight anything and anyone.

Status: Unknown

Born: Kabul, Afghanistan

Birthday: September 12th, 1983

Who is he?

Ladies, it’s time to let your imagination wander to the boxing gyms of Hamburg, Germany, where the washboard abs and crafty biceps of Hamid Rahimi await!

Seriously, if you relish the idea of the strong and silent type, toiling away hours at the gym to achieve that perfectly chiseled and toned body, then feast thine eyes because Rahimi is the one for you.

This smashing and dashing Afghani boxer fled Kabul for Germany in 1992 in the wake of the Afghan civil war. Little did he know that Germany would bring him closer to his true calling, i.e. martial arts, albeit in an unusual way. The then 11-year-old Rahimi was being bullied by three of his classmates and Rahimi, who did not speak German then, retaliated with boxing. He emerged successful, realizing that he could earn recognition through his fists and so began his love and talent for martial arts.

Now at 30, Rahimi has won 21 out of his first 22 matches and bagged some prestigious boxing championships, such as the World Boxing Union (WBU) in February 2012, a title he has defended to date.

Most importantly, he has smashed his way into our hearts with his chiseled Hazara features, six-pack and ability to fight anything and anyone. It really is no wonder that he is called ‘The Dragon!’

Why we love him

Contrary to the big, burly and brute image presented by boxers in general, Rahimi is a real treat for the eyes. He has an uncanny ability to look as great flexing his muscles during a fight in the boxing ring as he does when he is suited and booted, meeting his fans and giving television interviews. He is equal parts tough and soft, good and bad. Rahimi’s strong, seemingly unbreakable jaw contrasts with his rosy pink cheeks but are enough to make us want to enter the boxing ring with him (just not to fight!)

What is truly inspirational about Rahimi is his strength – not physical but emotional. He is extremely determined and focused in everything he does, be it training, winning championships or simply opening up gyms in his hometown. He hopes to become the world champion in several international boxing leagues and even gave up managing his family’s restaurant to focus on this goal. He believes that the world belongs to the courageous and pushes himself to remain steadfast in every fight of his life, both in and out of the boxing ring.

What you didn’t know about him

In 1998, Rahimi shifted to Thailand to spend a few months training at a Thai boxing master class where he was isolated from the rest of the world but learned some of his best fight moves.

He chose the title of ‘The Dragon’ as it is an adaptable creature who can cope with water, wind and fire. The title is symbolic of Rahimi’s ability to cope with any boxer or situation within the boxing ring.

His birth name is Hamidullah Rahimi.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, October 20^th, 2013.