Yana SHELEMBA, a cadet of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs: “Sport is an inspiration and a way to fulfill dreams!”
Yana SHELEMBA, a cadet of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, took part in the Ukrainian adult hand-to-hand fighting championship dedicated to the memory of the Hero of Ukraine, Major General Maksym Shapoval. The competition, which brought together 250 of the strongest sportsmen and women from 15 regions of Ukraine, took place in Bucha, Kyiv region. In a tense struggle, the freshman won the title of Ukrainian champion.
“When other girls were joining dance classes, I wanted to stand out, so I decided to go in for sports: hand-to-hand combat and mixed martial arts (MMA). I participated in competitions in Ukraine and abroad. Active training hardens your character and helps you to be strong,” says Yana. The girl chose her future profession when she entered Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs because she always dreamed of serving in the police and helping people.
“I owe my victories to hard work and perseverance: two to four training sessions every day under the guidance of an experienced coach who helps me achieve my goals and objectives as quickly as possible,” said the cadet. The support of my mother, sisters and brothers is extremely important. There are five of us in my family, and when I compete, the whole family is very supportive. I know and feel it.”
“When other girls were joining dance classes, I wanted to stand out, so I decided to go in for sports: hand-to-hand combat and mixed martial arts (MMA). I participated in competitions in Ukraine and abroad. Active training hardens your character and helps you to be strong,” says Yana. The girl chose her future profession when she entered Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs because she always dreamed of serving in the police and helping people.
“I owe my victories to hard work and perseverance: two to four training sessions every day under the guidance of an experienced coach who helps me achieve my goals and objectives as quickly as possible,” said the cadet. The support of my mother, sisters and brothers is extremely important. There are five of us in my family, and when I compete, the whole family is very supportive. I know and feel it.”
Yana SHELEMBA is an international master of sports in mixed martial arts (MMA). Her sports achievements include:
- 2021 MMA champion of Ukraine among juniors (Odesa);
- bronze medalist of the 2022 MMA World Championships among juniors (Abu Dhabi, UAE);
- silver medalist of the Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Championship among youth, 2022 (Poltava);
- champion of Ukraine in hand-to-hand combat in 2022 (Kyiv);
- world champion in mixed martial arts MMA among youth, 2023 (Tirana, Albania);
- winner of the 2023 Ukrainian Ju-Jutsu Combat Cup (Kyiv);
- in 2023, she fulfilled the standard and received the sports title “Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine in Mixed Martial Arts MMA”;
- winner of the Ukrainian Cup in Cossack fighting in 2023 (Rivne);
- participant of the European Combat Sambo Championships 2023 (Novi Sad, Serbia);
- winner of the Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Cup in MMA in 2023 (Kyiv);
- European champion in mixed martial arts MMA 2024 (Belgrade, Serbia);
- champion of Ukraine in mixed martial arts MMA among youth in 2024 (Dnipro);
- bronze medalist of the MMA World Championships in 2024 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan);
- the best fighter in the world in 2023-2024 among girls according to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation IMMAF;
- in 2024, she fulfilled the standard and received the sports title “Master of Sports of International Class in Mixed Martial Arts MMA”;
- 2021 MMA champion of Ukraine among juniors (Odesa);
- bronze medalist of the 2022 MMA World Championships among juniors (Abu Dhabi, UAE);
- silver medalist of the Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Championship among youth, 2022 (Poltava);
- champion of Ukraine in hand-to-hand combat in 2022 (Kyiv);
- world champion in mixed martial arts MMA among youth, 2023 (Tirana, Albania);
- winner of the 2023 Ukrainian Ju-Jutsu Combat Cup (Kyiv);
- in 2023, she fulfilled the standard and received the sports title “Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine in Mixed Martial Arts MMA”;
- winner of the Ukrainian Cup in Cossack fighting in 2023 (Rivne);
- participant of the European Combat Sambo Championships 2023 (Novi Sad, Serbia);
- winner of the Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Cup in MMA in 2023 (Kyiv);
- European champion in mixed martial arts MMA 2024 (Belgrade, Serbia);
- champion of Ukraine in mixed martial arts MMA among youth in 2024 (Dnipro);
- bronze medalist of the MMA World Championships in 2024 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan);
- the best fighter in the world in 2023-2024 among girls according to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation IMMAF;
- in 2024, she fulfilled the standard and received the sports title “Master of Sports of International Class in Mixed Martial Arts MMA”;
- European champion in mixed martial arts MMA in 2025 (Belgrade, Serbia);
- Ukrainian champion in hand-to-hand combat in 2025 among adults (Bucha, Kyiv region).
The athlete's immediate plans include preparations for the summer MMA World Championships, the time and place of which the organizers have not yet announced.
“I am grateful to the management of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, in particular to Rector Valerii Sokurenko, for supporting sports, creating conditions for training and preparing for sports competitions,” the first-year student said.
Cadet Yana SHELEMBA is studying at the university in good faith to represent the National Police of Ukraine with dignity and become a true professional in the future.
- Ukrainian champion in hand-to-hand combat in 2025 among adults (Bucha, Kyiv region).
The athlete's immediate plans include preparations for the summer MMA World Championships, the time and place of which the organizers have not yet announced.
“I am grateful to the management of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, in particular to Rector Valerii Sokurenko, for supporting sports, creating conditions for training and preparing for sports competitions,” the first-year student said.
Cadet Yana SHELEMBA is studying at the university in good faith to represent the National Police of Ukraine with dignity and become a true professional in the future.
