Head Trainer

With a record of 39 fights across boxing, kickboxing and Thai boxing head trainer Predrag Galic began training in martial arts at the age of 11. Growing up in Serbia (formerly a part of Yugoslavia), his initial inspiration came from kickboxing and boxing. At that time the sports of Thai boxing and kickboxing were little known in Europe, and although the benefits of karate, to which he was initially introduced as a kid, would later transfer to the skills of kickboxing and boxing, he didn’t truly find himself in the sport until learning of a local fight gym in his later teenage years.

An important element of kickboxing in Europe is the presence of experienced boxing trainers in the sport. This allows for the incorporation of techniques from both disciplines being made available to fighters across both sports. Early on in his career Predrag was sought as a talent by a prominent boxing gym established since 1940, which was at the time one of the most successful gyms in Yugoslavia (the former socialist federation of over 20 million people), where he began to box while continuing his kickboxing training. With more than 10 champions out of that gym, he soon ‘earned his wings’ and was entered into full competition, just four months after starting. A decent performance and a win against an opponent with five fights under his belt provided early encouragement for both Predrag and his coaches, leading him onwards towards national success.

International success came just a few years later at the 2004 European Championships in Montenegro, where he represented Serbia for the first time in kickboxing. He went home with the bronze medal after losing on a split point decision in the semifinals against a German opponent. This led to further success at the WAKO World Cup in 2006, winning the silver medal, and at the Balkan Championships, from which he brought home the gold.

After early success following a move to Australia in 2007, a repeated series of injuries and two broken hands in a period of just 6 months forced Predrag into early retirement. Having begun work as a trainer while still fighting, it was the natural step for a successful competitor to develop his coaching skills and pass on his knowledge. Becoming head fight trainer at Melbourne Martial Arts Academy while pursuing an education from The Australian Fitness Academy, Predrag expanded his knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology, giving him the ability to understand the body at a deeper level and begin developing top-notch coaching skills. Analysing the techniques which had made him a successful fighter, he continued his education, gaining diplomas in Sports Development and Sports Coaching while specialising in boxing and kickboxing.

His experience at very high levels of the sport have allowed him to merge styles from both east & west, while a well-rounded education alongside a “hands-on” approach to demonstrating practical combat techniques has resulted in the development of a unique program combining both theory and practice.

You can see all of these live unfolding at every training at Prestige Gym Melbourne.