Newly-crowned Muaythai World Champion Svetlana Vinnikova (RUS) is The World Games Athlete of May 2018! Congratulations!
The World Games 2017 Champion (women 60 kg) is also reigning European Champion. Because of her gold at The World Games, she was chosen Martial Arts Athlete of the Year in Russia last year!
IFMA Muaythai Secretary General Stephan Fox 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.”
Vinnikova is a fierce advocate for women in sport in Russia, and works with Reebok RU to promote women's training sessions and fitness tips. She runs “women's only” training sessions in Moscow.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games.
