NXT UK champ Dragunov says being a father makes competing higher

NXT UK champion Ilja Dragunov. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

eMANILA, Philippines—Ilja Dragunov has at all times been an expert between the ropes of NXT UK however having a son who seems to be as much as him makes being an in-ring performer all that extra particular.

So when he beat Walter (actual life Walter Hahn) on August 22 in NXT TakeOver 36 for the NXT UK title, the true life Ilja Rukober knew that climbing the highest of his model is akin to witnessing the start of his son Constantine.

Dragunov’s journey to the title began in October 2020 when he first fought Walter for the title and ended 10 months later after the hard-hitter lastly defeated the previous champion.

“The one second I can examine it to was the start of my son, which was the best second of my life,” stated Dragunov in a media availability session for NXT UK which airs within the Philippines through the TapGo app.

“This second is correct subsequent to it as a result of that is the start of my legacy, that is the very begin of my legacy and I’ve work very onerous to get so far. I generally take into consideration how a lot I might like to make the folks really feel how a lot of a battle it was to get so far as a result of it undoubtedly was.”

Dragunov, 27, admitted that he couldn’t sleep in any respect when he beat Walter for the title and his ideas ragged on how a lot it meant to him particularly when he is aware of his four-year-old son wakened understanding that the NXT UK title now belonged to the household.

Being a father, Dragunov stated, brings in additional inspiration for him to be at his finest as each time he steps contained in the ring is a chance for him to be a task mannequin to Constantine.

“I must be the perfect particular person I might be on this job as a result of I additionally do it for my household, not only for the cash facet,” stated Dragunov. “I need to present my son what it takes to be good at something like what it took me to be superb at being a performer and to indicate him that there aren’t any limits.”

“If the need is correct, the need is every thing. All the things I take into consideration every day is the best way to improve my will much more as a result of if every thing is unhealthy, you may flip every thing round together with your will. That is one thing you at all times have in you, you don’t want something from exterior, however so long as you’ve gotten will, you’ll at all times discover a means that’s what I consider 100%.”

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