Dalian Dawody, 25 years old and a student at the Elite Sports University at Karlstad University, became world champion in Thai boxing in the 75-kilo weight class during the World Championships in Turkey in spring 2025. On the last weekend of August, he also won a championship belt in Muaythai For Life on home turf in Karlstad. At the same time, he is very close to completing his degree in the Business and Economics program after five years of study.
Dalian Dawody was born and raised in Malmö. When he was fourteen, he and his family moved to Karlstad because they had relatives there. As his teenage years were a bit turbulent, his cousin took him to Karlstad Muaythai to try Thai boxing. There, he found an outlet for his energy and learned training discipline and sportsmanship—he found himself and his path in life, as he turned out to be a real talent in the sport. But he needed something more alongside boxing. Dalian graduated from upper secondary school in 2019, and since it was difficult to find a job in 2020 during the pandemic, he decided to study at university instead.
“I had always planned to study, but now it felt like the right time to get started. I’ve now studied for five years, my thesis is finished, and I only have two courses left to complete.”
Dalian has studied to become a business economist and has simultaneously pursued elite-level Thai boxing, being enrolled at the Elite Sports University.
“I chose economics because it was the only subject I was interested in. I had no expectations about what studying at a higher level would be like, but it turned out to be easier than I thought. I’ve learned what the courses were about and what I expected to learn. At the same time, it feels great to be almost done—it’s been tough to combine sports with studies. It’s hard work all day with studying and training both morning and evening. I’ve received great support from the Elite Sports University; it would have taken much longer to graduate without the help I got with postponing exams and assignments. But it’ll be nice to focus on just one thing.”
What do you think you would be doing today if you hadn’t had the opportunity to study and pursue elite sports at the same time?
“I honestly don’t know. I was still an amateur when I started studying, and I didn’t see a future where I could make a living from my sport. The realization that I could combine elite sports and studies came about six months in, when I joined the Swedish national Thai boxing team before my third semester. I had a teacher who told me about the Elite Sports University, where I enrolled, which made it easier to participate in the national team. It’s been nearly four years of intense focus and structure every minute of the day—time for training, eating, sleeping, and studying. I’ve been very strict with my time, and it’s been incredibly educational. I feel so satisfied to be done. Now I spend more time chasing sponsors and attending meetings related to my sports career. I also make sure to rest between morning and afternoon training sessions, which makes me feel more mentally clear than during my studies.”
So, what’s the dream job as a business economist?
“I’ve worked part-time at a bank during my studies, so I’m interested in banking. We’ll see what happens. There are a lot of opportunities in my sport now, especially since I won the World Championship and the championship belt, so I’ll be focusing on that for now.”
What are your visions for your sports career in the coming years?
“I now know that One Championship, a major online combat sports organization, wants me to compete for them. If you become the best there, that’s as high as you can climb in Thai boxing. They host events in Thailand, the USA, Qatar, and Japan. That’s what’s next for me.”
Your mother and sister were in the audience when you fought for the championship belt in Karlstad in Sweden’s leading Thai boxing organization, Muaythai For Life. It was the first time your mother ever saw you fight. How did that feel?
“Before the match, I didn’t feel much, but once I stepped into the ring, I couldn’t think about anything else except that my mother and sister were in the audience—and I couldn’t lose in front of them.”
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
“I’ll probably be running several businesses within the Thai boxing world. Hopefully, I’ll be able to use my education. I want to create my own organization where I can host events, work as a coach, and so on—it’ll be a way to stay active in the sport.”
What advice would you give to a prospective student who competes at the national level and is considering applying to higher education and enrolling at the Elite Sports University?
“If I can handle this challenge, anyone can. I’ve even managed to work part-time during my studies. It’s tough, but it’s possible to combine elite sports and education if you’re truly committed. You have to be ready to sacrifice some things in life for a few years, but it’s worth it to know that you can pursue your sport and get an education at the same time.”
Read more about Elite Sports University at Karlstad University
