From the Ring to the Corner
Ruslans Okurļaks knows combat sports from the inside out. With over 20 years of experience in Muay Thai and kickboxing — first as a competitor, then as a coach — he has spent more than half his life in the ring. For the past 9+ years, coaching has been his full-time mission.
Based in Riga, Latvia, Ruslans is the head coach and founder of Top Ring Latvia, a martial arts gym that has become one of the most respected fight camps in the Baltics. He is also the Head Coach of the Latvian Kickboxing National Team under WAKO Latvia — a role that puts him at the center of competitive kickboxing in the region.
Building Champions Across Borders
What sets Ruslans apart is the sheer breadth of talent he has developed. His fighters have claimed national, European, and World Championship titles representing not just Latvia, but also Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Armenia, Hungary, Germany, and Scotland. That kind of international reach is rare for any coach — let alone one working from a single gym in Riga.
At the Latvia Open 2025, Top Ring Latvia sent 23 athletes to compete in both Tatami and Ring disciplines — a testament to the depth of the program Ruslans has built. His students range from young children starting at age 4 to seasoned adult fighters preparing for international competition.
Training Philosophy
Ruslans' coaching style is rooted in discipline, technical precision, and mental toughness. He doesn't believe in shortcuts. His fighters train hard, travel to camps like Sinbi Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, and compete regularly to sharpen their skills under real pressure.
Whether it's a young beginner stepping onto the mat for the first time or a national champion preparing for a European title fight, Ruslans brings the same intensity and attention to detail. His philosophy is simple: show up, work hard, respect the process — and the results will follow.
More Than a Gym
Top Ring Latvia isn't just a training facility — it's a community. Alongside fellow coaches Matīss Šķēle (kickboxing) and Roberts Skujiņš (MMA), Ruslans has built an environment where fighters push each other to improve every day. The gym offers group and individual sessions for all ages and levels, making elite-level coaching accessible to everyone in Riga.
For anyone looking to train with a coach who has produced champions on the world stage — and who still shows up to the gym every single day — Ruslans Okurļaks is the real deal.