Who is Rayna Vallandingham? Meet the Cobra Kai Actress and 13-Time Taekwondo World Champion
Rayna Vallandingham is not just a talented actress in Cobra Kai but also a world-renowned Taekwondo champion.
Who is Rayna Vallandingham?
Role in Cobra Kai: Rayna plays Zara Malik in Cobra Kai Season 6, appearing in part two alongside Lewis Tan (Mortal Kombat) and Patrick Luwis (Barbie).
Background: Born on January 18, 2003, in California, she is a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, earning her first degree at just six years old.
Online Fame: Active on YouTube since April 2014, she shares martial arts content with over 650,000 subscribers and has millions of views, including a viral video showing her impressive kick that floored her coach.
Image source: instagram/raynavallandingham
What Are Rayna Vallandingham’s Taekwondo Achievements?
World Records: A 13-time world champion and youngest black belt world champion, achieving this feat at age eight.
Titles:
1. Winner of 11 American Taekwondo Association (ATA) world titles.
2. Known for her dominance in traditional forms, weapons, and sparring, often winning the "Triple Crown."
3. Six-time consecutive championship winner.
Image source: instagram/raynavallandingham
Rayna Vallandingham’s Appearance in Music Videos
In 2018, she appeared in Shawn Mendes' Youth music video featuring Khalid, where she showcased her martial arts skills alongside other talented individuals.
What is Cobra Kai?
1. Premise: Set 34 years after the original Karate Kid (1984), the series revisits Johnny Lawrence’s (William Zabka) life as he reopens the Cobra Kai dojo.
2. Popularity:
· Debuted in 2018 and has been a fan favorite ever since.
· Season 6 (released in parts throughout 2024-2025) is a hit, with its initial five episodes drawing 14.8 million views within a week.
· Season 5 scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the show maintains a 98% audience recommendation rating.
