Toni Tauru is a man that has already won the game of life, several times over.
On 21 April, at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY, “Dynamite” looks to establish a new winning streak when he locks horns with the hard-hitting Kevin Belingon at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The Finn once boasted a 10-fight winning streak, but is only just recovering from a three-fight skid.
Stepping inside the cage come fight night, Tauru will be propelled by a lifetime full of competition, and a family environment that facilitates the same.
Tauru hails from the small village of Utti in Kouvala, Finland. Known for its distinction as the home of the country’s first air force base, “Dynamite” remembers it more for being a place where he found a love of sports and competition.
“Finnish kids love winter sports, and I was no exception. I have done ice hockey, snowboarding, and skiing,” the 32-year-old recalls. “Summer is usually the best couple of months. Everybody plays football. I played for nearly 10 years on many different teams.”
Competing didn’t stop in the snow or on the football field. Tauru grew up to be an avid gamer. He was so enthused about the hobby that he briefly considered pursuing it as a career.
“Being a professional gamer was one of my dreams as well,” said Tauru. “If I was not fighting for living, that might have been my road.”
While professional gaming didn’t pan out for the Finnish fighter, he’s gotten something even greater in the process: The father of two gets to share both of his current loves with his two children.
“I have been a dad for 11 years now. I do not even remember what is it like not being a dad. I love my kids, and want to set a great example for them,” he states. “Of course, I am not perfect, as nobody is, but I am still doing my best in that area.
“I am so happy now that I actually have common interests with both my son and daughter, as they both love sports and video games.”
If “Dynamite” has his way, both Tauru children will follow in their dad’s footsteps.
“My son actually competes in jiu-jitsu. My daughter, as a three-year-old, has trained wrestling with me,” Tauru says. “I will get them in sports clubs.”
With eight submission wins to his name, the ONE bantamweight looks to add another win to his resume on 21 April against a tough Belingon.
Win or lose, though, Tauru is living the dream. With two children to share his passions with and a supportive fiancée, the man they call “Dynamite” is already a champion to the people that occupy his home.
“I get great energy from my family and relatives. They are crazy sometimes, but I love them still,” he says. “My fiancée Nora is also a great person who always has my back. At the moment, she is working and studying at same time, so my hat’s off to her. And of course, my kids, just for being themselves.”
