From her model looks and natural poise, Arina Smolina could easily be mistaken for an international model.

But the dark-haired 21-year-old beauty from Irkutsk, Russia, is more of a real life stunner thanks to her expert training in a deadly martial art.

Because Arina is the women’s World Champion in mililtary-style combat system called Unifight.

She began learning the system ten years ago while she was growing up in an orphanage when her trainer Valery Kubko began holding classes for kids.

Arina had been in care since her birth when her mother gave her up because she could not care for her.

Arina explained: “I liked the classes so much that I decided to continue.

“Of course, it was hard at first. After all, universal combat includes overcoming an obstacle course, throwing knives, shooting and hand-to-hand combat.

“You need to give yourself in every discipline to the fullest!

“My first competitions were held in one of the schools in Irkutsk.

“I then took first place among … boys!

“It was then that I realised – this is mine and I will not give it up.”

Under Unifight rules competitiors have to first perform a strength sapping obstacle course before fighting, just like special forces training.

Then they face a second combat bout in a boxing ring.

Coach Kubko knew the life obstacles Arina was facing because he had grown up at the same orphange when both his parents died while he was just ten years old.

He had learned to fight hand-to-hand in playgrouds and was determined to help others like him with his highly disciplined classes.

Kubko immediately spotted Arina’s potential and began to intensify her training routine.

Gradually she started taking part in city and interregional tournaments in various types of martial arts.

She received her first bronze medal at the Russian Championship aged just 14.

Then in 2022, Arina became the women’s World Champion in Unifight.

Now, the stunning brunette says can no longer imagine her life without sports and trains every day for several hours.

Arina said: “Many are surprised when they find out that I chose this sport.

“They wonder how, I look so small, fragile.

“And many even laugh and do not believe that I am a Unifight champion.

“But I don’t see myself in any other area. Sport has taught me not to give up and very much tempered my character.

“Now I always go to the end.”

Arina says that her life at the orphanage probably shaped her for combat.

She said: “Life in the orphanage was not difficult for me – after all, I simply did not know another, I lived there from infancy.

“Of course, like all orphans, I dreamed of a full-fledged family.”

Deep down she was so desperate for a family she called all her teachers ‘mum’, she explained.

But – with her newfound confidence – Arina eventually tracked down her real-life mother.

She said: “Her name was in the documents that they gave me when I graduated from the orphanage.

“I found her through social networks, wrote, asked for a phone number and came to her house.

“But our meeting was rather cold, incomprehensible.

“Sitting in front of me was a complete stranger. I did not feel that this was my own mother.

“She apologised to me for a long time, crying. I don’t hold a grudge against her.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to restore contact, we did not see each other often.

“And in September last year, she died of an illness.”

But Arina also learned that she has two younger brothers and a sister.

The girl’s aunt took them under her care and now she communicates with them from time to time.

The children, who learn about her merits from the Internet, are very proud of their sister and dream of being like her.