Rayna Vallandingham grew up in Encinitas, where her parents, Jeff and Joty Vallandingham, were both chiropractors.
They provided a supportive environment for her athletic pursuits. Despite being born in America, Rayna’s Indian heritage from her grandparents has influenced her life and shaped her identity.
Rayna Vallandingham was born on January 18, 2003, and is the youngest black belt martial artist to attain 13 World Championship Titles.
Ever since she was young, her parents noticed her strength, and as she grew up, she developed a love for karate and taekwondo, training for nine hours a day.
From the age of 8 to 10, she earned 11 American Taekwondo Association world titles.
Moreover, she became the youngest world champion to collect six championships at ATA World, including the triple crown in traditional forms, weapons, and sparring.
Now 20 years old, Rayna is a leading personality in the world of taekwondo. She has also ventured into acting and is known as “Female Bruce Lee.”
Rayna Vallandingham Parents
Rayna Vallandingham was born in 2003 in the United States to her parents, Jeff and Joty Vallandingham, who both practice chiropractic care.
Despite raising a daughter who’s become a renowned athletic sensation, Jeff and Joty have deliberately maintained a low profile, rarely making appearances on Rayna’s social media feeds or in the media spotlight.
Despite their privacy, they’ve consistently supported Rayna and fostered an encouraging environment for her athletic endeavors.
Rayna was a little shy growing up, so her parents enrolled her in a taekwondo class to overcome her shyness.
Over time, her talents became apparent, and her instructor, Ken Church, identified her exceptional abilities, foreseeing her potential to compete at an international level in just a few years.
Rayna Vallandingham Ethnicity: Is She Indian?
Rayna Vallandingham is a woman of Indian-American heritage, but the specifics of her Indian ancestry remain a mystery.
However, it is known that her grandfather hails from the Punjab region of India.
She has fond memories of her grandfather, whom she affectionately calls Nana in Punjabi, who took her to the dojo every day when she was just two years old.
He firmly believed in her abilities, often referring to her as his “Kaur,” meaning lioness in Punjabi.
She even has tattooed the name Kaur as a symbol of her strength and empowerment. Moreover, she feels a deep sense of pride and determination whenever she looks at the tattoo.
Rayna Has An older Brother, Zane Vallandingham
Rayna is not an only child. She has a brother, born in 2001, who is two years older than her.
Both siblings used to train in taekwondo, but while Rayna became successful in it, her brother chose a different profession.
Zane Vallandingham completed his training at ATP Flight School from August 2020 to September 2021.
Similarly, he acquired his Commercial Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings, CFI Certificate, and CFII Certificate while attending Cathedral Catholic High School.
Besides, Zane is active on Instagram, but like his parents, he has kept his account private.