IFMA congratulates Svetlana Vinnikova awarded Best Athlete in Russia for her success in the muaythai ring.

Svetlana won gold at The World Games in Wroclaw last year, the first time muaythai was at these Games, and she took gold at the IFMA World Championships earlier in the year, as well as the European title.

IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox said it’s an honour for muaythai to be counted among the other martial arts in Russia, and to have the skill and hard work of female athletes like Svetlana recognised.

He said: “Svetlana won at The World Games in the first year muaythai athletes had this opportunity, and as the first to win gold, she will be an inspiration for generations of young athletes in Russia. She is already teaching women’s only classes in Moscow, and no doubt we will see future stars shining in the ring because of her example.”

Receiving the award in The Kremlin, Svetlana thanked her trainer, and her supporters including her sister Ekaterina also a successful athlete. She praised the Russian Muaythai Federation for their unstinting support and encouragement of women in muaythai.

This is the fifth time muaythai has been recognised at The Golden Belt awards in Russia in men’s or women’s cateogories, with various awards previously given to athletes Artem Levin, Artem Vakhitov, Julia Berezikova and trainer Vitaly Miller for their work with muaythai.

Follow Svetlana Vinnikova as she prepares for the muaythai world championshps in Mexico next month : Svetlana Vinnikova on Instagram