Levin the Dream
Artem Levin also known as ‘the Lion’ is a true ambassador of muaythai etching his name permanently into the WMC hall of fame. Artem made his transition from a national champion to multiple time IFMA world champion then 2 time winner for the SportAccord World Combat Games before finally becoming WMC champion.
Mr Levin stated that representing Russia within the Olympic movement, standing proudly under the Russian flag and winning the World Combat Games both in Beijing and then in St Petersburg on his home turf made him a Russian celebrity. He said, I remember when I competed for the first time for the WMC world title losing to Yodsaenklai at the prestigious WMC show Rumble of the Kings in Sweden before beating him in the final of the World Combat Games in an electrifying atmosphere under patronage of the IOC, I will never forget that.
I was proud to be elected as the first Russian in the IFMA Athletes Commission and then 2 years after as the Chairman. Representing athletes from over 100 countries made me realise the responsibilities we as the athletes have to be the voice to promote clean sport and be part of the journey to get muaythai recognised by the IOC. In 2019 we applauded the next generation of Russian athletes with the male and female competitors becoming the overall champions and taking for the first time the King’s cup out of Thailand.
I must especially thank the Russian federation, certainly IFMA and the WMC for really taking muaythai to the highest recognition and the 5 rings.
