Alena Leshkevich wins four IFMA Muay Thai Worlds in a row
Alena Leshkevich (pictured second from left) makes history as the first athlete to win IFMA Muay Thai World Championships four years in a row | Pic: IFMA

Belarus Alena Leshkevich becomes the first athlete to win IFMA Muay Thai World Championships four years straight

IFMA World Championships 2019 was held from July 19 to July 29 at the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok. The event saw over a thousand Muay Thai bouts featuring the athletes competing for medals in the Olympic-system tournament. The final day of competition crowned an overall of 23 champions in the “Senior Elite Class A” comprising 12 male and 11 female weight divisions.

Russia claimed the first place in the team medal table, while the country-host, Thailand, came second. Widely considered as one of the strongest countries in Muay Thai, Belarus has also made its mark in the tournament.

Competing in the women’s 45 kg weight division, Alena Liashkevich made history as the first athlete to win four IFMA World Championships in a row. In addition to taking this year’s gold medal in Bangkok, she has previously won IFMA Worlds in Mexico, her native Belarus, and Sweden (2018-2016, respectively).

“Alena Leshkevich became the first IFMA athlete to win gold medal at four world championships in a row. A truly historical effort which can find its continuation next year. Alena was celebrating her birthday as she competed for her following gold and this achievement can truly be the best present she could make for herself,” International Federation of Muaythai Associations reported.

Australia also saw its flag raised up high on the winners pedestal when Zoe Putorak earned Gold in the 63.5 kg class.

The full list of IFMA World Champions 2019 in the Senior Class A can be found here.