How Many Languages Does Valentina Shevchenko Speak? A Look at ’Bullet’s Nationality, Ethnicity, and Background
Valentina Shevchenko, the undisputed Women’s Flyweight champion, is set to defend her title against Manon Fiorot, undefeated in the UFC. A woman of many talents, here’s a look at one of her more impressive ones beyond the Octagon.
Valentina Shevchenko’s Multilingual Discipline in the Spotlight
Shevchenko considers herself a lifelong martial artist. She began training in Taekwondo when she was just five years old. Now, she is one of the best all-around fighters in MMA.
Shevchenko, her sister, Antonina, and their coach, Pavel Fedatov, travelled across the globe as part of international competitions. Therefore, the 37-year-old indulged in different customs and their languages.
She was born before the fall of the Soviet Union, in present-day Kyrgyzstan. Her mother tongue is Russian. Before turning 20, Shevchenko, her coach, and sister relocated to Peru, where they taught martial arts. As such, she became fluent in Spanish.
In addition to Russian and Spanish, Shevchenko learned English soon after. She doesn’t use translators during interviews or UFC press conferences. The 37-year-old often trains at the Tiger Muay Thai Gym in Phuket, Thailand, so she knows the Thai language as well.
Exploring Shevchenko’s Nationality and Ethnicity?
Shechenko was born into a family of Soviet military personnel, in Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union, which is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in the present day.
Her mother, Elena, is the president of Kyrgyzstan’s national Muay Thai association. Like her daughter, Shevchenko’s mother is also a multiple-time Muay Thai champion. Anatoly, Shevchenko’s father, served in the Pacific Fleet of the Soviet Navy and later played for the Kyrgyz national soccer team.
Though her family acquired Kyrgyz citizenship after the fall of the Soviet Union, Shevchenko later acquired a Peruvian passport during their extended stay in the South American country.
Even though she has a Russian and Ukrainian background, Shevchenko has described herself as Russian, which is also her native language.
Shevchenko’s Martial Arts Background in the Spotlight
Taekwondo was the first martial art Shevchenko picked up. Soon after, she transitioned to Muay Thai and later Vale Tudo, a precursor to MMA.
In addition to her success in the UFC, Shevchenko had a storied career in Muay Thai kickboxing. She is an eight-time IFMA World Muaythai Championships gold medalist. “The Bullet” won the first two representing Kyrgyzstan, the following one with Russia, and the rest with Peru.
Shevchenko later became a Master of Sports in four disciplines: Taekwondo, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Judo under the Unified Sports Classification System of Russia.
The 37-year-old’s accomplishments are not limited to martial arts, though. She has an undergraduate degree in Film Directing from the National Academy of Arts of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Shevchenko’s martial arts background also helped her role in Halle Berry’s directorial debut, “Bruised,” in 2020. She portrayed the role of Lucia “Lady Killer” Chavez.
