Interview w/ Kyriakos Dimitropoulos
Karim Brigante is one of the most well-known and experienced wrestlers in the world. Wherever he has competed, he has won titles, and currently holds the Break Pro Undisputed Championship in Italy for over 403 days!.
He has worked in a series of major wrestling promotions, with the highlight being his presence in WWE, as well as the NWA. He was trained in his career by the legendary Harley Race, whom he speaks very highly of.
Now, he has taken on a very important role at ZMAK Pro Wrestling, owned by Petros Polychronidis, here in Greece, as he trains young male and female athletes at the promotion’s Performance Center.
Brigante spoke to PW, discussing parts of his career, expressing his love for Greece, and praising the work being done at ZMAK, where he has also won two titles, the ZMAK Championship and the ZMAK International Championship.
THE INTERVIEW:
-Can you explain to the readers of this interview your reasons for getting involved in wrestling and how this decision changed your life?
«First of all, I want to say thanks for this interview and a big hello to everyone who is reading. It was my childhood dream and it has changed my life in everything.
It gave me a job, the chance to live my dream and the chance to travel all around the world. Also, I have met so many people and made a lot of friends everywhere I’ve been».
There are many negative points and sacrifices too but I like to stay focused on the positives».
-Karim, since 2010, you have wrestled in every ring in Europe, America, and beyond. If you could highlight certain moments from your career, what would they be?
«It’s hard to say, but I have to go with the NWA 70th anniversary, the WWE Try Out with the whole UK roster, my debut on the WWE Network and that time Harley Race decided to put the belt of his promotion on me, the World League Wrestling Heavyweight title».
-For those who may not know you, how would you describe your wrestling style, using only 5 words?
«A technical, powerful & agile striker».
«These are the things I learned from Harley Race»
-How would you describe the experience of being trained by Harley Race and what elements did you gain from working with him?
«Just amazing! Learning from one of the best of all times and for someone known for his toughness, it was priceless.
The biggest things are for sure the respect for the business, being tough, wrestling psychology, TV Wrestling and calling a match on the fly».
-You have won several titles in multiple promotions you have competed in. Are there any particular conquests that stand out to you? And if so, can you explain why?
«The two biggest are, like I said before, the WLW Heavyweight title & the NWA Missouri Heavyweight championship, a belt that was held by people like Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Harley Race, Ted DiBiase and many others back in the days.
I also won several titles in UK, Italy & Greece for sure with ZMAK Pro Wrestling».
-How did the opportunity arise for you to come and compete in ZMAK Pro Wrestling under Petros Polychronidis?
«After the experience with the NWA was over and my WWE Try Out did not work out, I decided to come back in Europe and wrestle full time here, while I was based in the UK.
Me and Petros got in touch and the rest is history.
I was so amazed that wrestling in Greece exists, with such a high production value and with a Celebrity as a promoter. All great ingredients with so much potential».
-You won the Prime Champion title in ZMAK and overall had a series of successful matches. What do you appreciate most about your experience in the Greek promotion?
«Everything man, I just love wrestling in Greece.
The fans, the environment, the boys, Petros and his team, the level of the production. Plus I just love Greece and the greek culture and like I said before, there is so much potential.
I am very happy and proud that I can call ZMAK my home».
-Wrestling in Greece has gained momentum in recent years. Knowing many professionals and having traveled around the world, what is the perception of foreign wrestlers regarding this country?
«Everyone is interested for sure and this is just the beginning in my opinion».
«I love Greece, Petros Polychronidis is doing an incredible job»
-We know that you are now involved in the training of new athletes at the ZMAK Pro Wrestling Developmental Center. Talk to us about this experience and what it means to you to help young athletes.
«It means the world, because I know I was in their situation with even less tools.
I was born in Italy in a country with no wrestling culture, my father died, I know how hard it is.
They have the luck to have Petros who is doing an incredible job and that has provided them not just a show in a very nice venue with great production and a TV streaming deal, but also a performance center, a place where they can train and get better. Α two floors venue entirely dedicated to Pro Wrestling, something truly unique in Europe!
I am doing my best to share my knowledge with them and to make them better wrestlers and I think since my first visit in 2019, they improved a lot also with the help of my right hand, Filippo Malvezzi, Rikishi’s guy and one of the best referee/manager in Europe.
There are still improvements to be made but the direction is the right one.
The ZMAK center can be also an option for aspiring wrestlers from southern Europe, from North Africa, Middle East and from the Balkans. The future is bright, for the promotion and for the school».
