Alexander Shlemenko is one of the most famous and successful MMA fighters. Repeatedly entered the list of the world's strongest fighters in his weight category. International Master of Sports. He is the champion of the world, Russia and Asia in modern pankration. The athlete's list of victories is endless. But Alexander is famous not only for his sports achievements, he is actively involved in the development of sports in his small homeland, he builds playgrounds at his own expense, teaches children about sports and even tries himself in politics.
Biography
Alexander Shlemenko was born in Omsk in 1984. From the age of six he began to actively go in for sports - he tried himself in wushu, kickboxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo. As the athlete himself says, he tried himself in any section that attracted him. In his youth he was also interested in mountaineering, sports tourism.
At the age of 15, his father brought the guy to the Children's and Youth Sports School No. 30 in the city of Omsk to the Thai boxing section, in the same school Alexander later began to master the technique of army hand-to-hand combat. Under the guidance of well-known Omsk coaches - Chegoryaev and Ivannikov - several times became the champion of various all-Russian and international tournaments in army hand-to-hand combat, and in 2004, at the age of twenty, received the title of international master of sports of Russia.
Alexander has a higher education - in 2006 he graduated from the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sports in the city of Omsk, the faculty of team sports and martial arts.
Career
Alexander Shlemenko came to professional sports in 2004. The athlete moved to the club "Saturn-Pro" and under the guidance of first Zbarovsky, and then Sultanmagomedov began to engage in mixed martial arts. Alexander Shlemenko made his professional debut in March 2004 at the Pankration World Cup, where he immediately showed himself, winning two fights against rather strong opponents, and in June 2004 he already became the Russian pankration champion in his weight category. In 2005, the athlete began to travel abroad and participate in international battles.
In 2010, Shlemenko signed a contract with the American sports organization Bellator MMA, which conducts fights in mixed martial arts, and in the same year became the champion of the Grand Prix hosted by Bellator, for which he received a fee of $ 100,000. Then, for several years, Alexander Shlemenko became the champion of the grand prix among heavyweights. In 2015, the athlete won another victory at the grand prix, but did not pass the doping test, the result was canceled, and Alexander Shlemenko was suspended from fights for 3 years. But Shlemenko managed to get permission from Bellator to perform in Russia, and for 3 years Alexander performed under the auspices of the M-1 Global organization. At the end of 2016, the athlete was able to return to Bellator; Alexander Shlemenko fought his last fight at Bellator in October 2018.
Alexander Shlemenko heads the "Storm" sports school in Omsk, created under his supervision, is a successful MMA coach - his students compete at the highest level. Shlemenko, at his own expense, installs sports grounds in his hometown of Omsk. He is also known for his active civic position, being a supporter of healthy lifestyle, the fighter advocates the introduction of Prohibition and fights against alcoholization of the population. For some time he tried himself in the role of a politician, but due to his great employment, he gave up this activity.
Personal life
Alexander Shlemenko is married. With his future wife, Alena Myznikova, he met long before the wedding. For some time, the guys just talked, but gradually their friendship grew into a romantic one, and in 2012 the couple got married.
Alexander and Alena are raising three children - two daughters and a son. According to the athlete, it is very difficult for him to endure parting with his family, so his wife and children try to accompany him on all trips and support him in the auditorium during fights.
