To refer to Valentina as an accomplished martial artist is quite the understatement. She began her training in martial arts at only 5 years old under her lifelong coach, Pavel Fedotov, and her entire family is composed of martial artists. Her older sister, Antonina, is a 10 time World Champion in Muay Thai. Her mother is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and President of the Kyrgyzstan Muay Thai Federation. Throughout her martial arts career, Valentina has earned 17 World Champion titles in various martial arts, including Muay Thai, K-1, and Mixed Martial Arts. Out of her 58 professional Muay Thai fights, she has won 57. Valentina recognizes the practice of shooting firearms as a martial art, and treats it with the same honor and reverence as fight-based disciplines. She and Antonina began their firearms training with Fedotov around 2006, and have been competing since 2010. Although the bulk of her time is spent focusing on her budding MMA career, Valentina never misses an opportunity to shoot, and relishes the occasions when she can try out a new gun. For Valentina and her family, shooting is a cherished pastime, a chance to bond over the enjoyable – but focused – art of the gun.

“A firearm, it is a cult. It is a symbol”

In her native Kyrgyzstan, the culture of firearms is far more meaningful than simple recreation or defensive use. According to Valentina, “A firearm, it is a cult. It is a symbol”. A firearm can hold the same historical legacy as a castle. It is often a family jewel which is inherited after generations of being carefully stored by descendants. Firearms are taken out during special occasions to show to dear friends and guests, and tell the stories of the generations before us. Valentina refers nostalgically to the happiness which fills a child when a parent allows her to touch a real pistol or shotgun for the first time. In many ways, they are valuable tools for teaching children responsibility and respect for themselves, and for others. Firearms are not only a form of enjoyment and family recreation, however. Valentina believes they should be viewed as an indissoluble part of humanity. As long as humans exist in the world, she posits, so will firearms.

Her unique views on the influence of firearms on culture and tradition reflect in her love for competitive shooting. As a regular competitor in IPSC, IDPA, and 3-Gun, Valentina acknowledges that shooting is very similar to MMA in terms of training and discipline. Shooting is not just about precision to Valentina, as speed and knowing how to resolve any problems with the gun mid-run are equally important components of the sport. She admits to tiring more easily in shooting training than in MMA, and believes that shooting also requires more discipline. After all, there is no defense or counter-attack for a mistake made on the range! No one understands this important safety principle better than Valentina, who is all business while at the range. “I know exactly when you have a gun in your hand, it is no time for jokes. I concentrate on what I am doing and leave all smiles behind.” As her fighting adventures lead her to MMA competitions across the globe, she frequently seeks out competition shooting matches in new countries. Valentina notes that although there are a lot of differences in language and rules for matches around the world, everyone shows the same love and respect for firearms. “It’s the nicest thing,” she says with adoration.