Gradus Kraus literally grew up between boxing gloves. His father, a nine-time world champion in kickboxing, took him to tournaments around the world as a child. From an early age, Gradus knew that the ring was his place. “I grew up with it. From the moment I was able to walk, I was already in the gym,” he says.
When he was seven, he fought his first game. This was followed by dozens. At the age of twelve, he combined kickboxing with boxing, and at sixteen he made the switch to boxing. He joined the Dutch boxing team and fought over eighty amateur games, including internationally.
Nevertheless, during that period, he encountered one of his biggest disappointments: missing out on an Olympic ticket. “I won everything in that tournament, except for the one game I had to win to get to the Games. That was a disappointment because I thought I had it.”
Adversity becomes fuel
Although the missed Olympic dream weighed heavily, Gradus decided not to stand still. “I could have given up, but that's not in me. I've learned that every loss makes you stronger.”
He made the switch to professional boxing and built a name for himself there at breakneck speed. In one year, he achieved an 8-0 record, including seven knockouts. And at the end of November, he'll fight for the European title, his biggest match so far. “That's just the beginning,” he says firmly. “My goal is to become a world champion, in multiple organizations. Pack all the seat belts.”
Discipline and mentality
What sets him apart is his mentality. “You can have a lot of talent, but you won't get there without discipline. And neither is working hard without focus. You have to combine both. In the end, hard work is always rewarded.”
Gradus trains twice a day, even outside competition periods. “I want to be ready all the time. Each training is a step towards that one goal. For me, discipline means getting up when it's tough, continuing when others quit.”
His confidence and mentality are his greatest strength. “Even after a defeat, I knew: I'm the best. Because I know how hard I work. You can lose but you can never give up.”
Rise, rebuild and return stronger.
The Returning Citizens slogan fits seamlessly with his story. “I've often had plenty of moments where I could have quit, especially with amateurs. But I kept believing in my dream. That mentality — getting up, rebuilding, coming back stronger — that's exactly what my career is about.”
His message to others facing adversity is clear: “No matter how big or small your goal is, don't give up. Whether you want to lose weight, learn something new or reach the top: if you really want something, you can do it. But you also have to really want it. No apologies.”Dreams, family, and gratitude
His dream is not only to become a world champion, but also to build a stable future for his family. “I do it for myself, but also for my family. They give me the strength to keep going.”
The Power of faith and persistence
Gradus Kraus embodies what Returning Citizens stands for: trial, learn, get up and keep going. His story is an ode to discipline, ambition and resilience.
“I believe that anything is possible if you really go for it. Never give up. Keep believing in your dream, no matter how far away it seems.”
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