Dmitriy Salita.

New York-based, Orthodox Jewish boxer Dmitriy Salita is front and center in a new documentary that explores his role as a Jewish athlete.

Overshadowed in recent years by The Algemeiner’s other favorite film-friendly Jewish pugilist, Yuri Foreman, Salita was recently given his own chance to shine.

In the film, part of an ongoing series from Moonshot Productions called New Yorkers, Salita tells how coming to New York from Odessa, Ukraine, opened his eyes to his religion.

“It was the first time in my life I had seen certain blocks that were predominantly Jewish, and it was really new to me. I started learning about Judaism, and I felt that it gave me strength and inspiration and encouragement in my boxing career,” he said.

As an athlete, Salita says that he is wholly aware of his unique position in the Jewish community.

“Since there are not a lot of Jewish athletes, I definitely feel pressure,” Salita says in the film. “It’s irresponsible to say that you don’t feel pressure.”

Watch the video about Salita below: