World Record-Holding 'Spearfishing Huntress' Fights Back Against 'Hate,' Allegations That She's a 'Killer

Valentine Thomas, described as a “glamorous spearfishing huntress,” has become a target for animal rights activists, who she says call her a “killer” for following her passion.

The 28-year-old is already a world record holder in the sport after she caught the largest Atlantic Jack off of the isolated volcanic island known as Ascension Island. While she put her stamp on spearfishing, she also gained some critics.

But with the negativity, there has also been plenty of positive attention.

Thomas told the Daily Mail, “People call me a killer. I face sexism, I face a lot of hate, but I have also had marriage proposals.”

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Jun 24, 2015 at 5:58am PDT

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Jun 17, 2015 at 2:58am PDT

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Apr 2, 2015 at 11:47am PDT

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Sep 30, 2014 at 2:35am PDT

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on May 9, 2015 at 10:12am PDT

Thomas, a Canadian-born citizen who moved to London in 2010, said she was immediately sold on spearfishing and the idea of catching her own food.

“I like everything - even cleaning the fish afterwards. We are really involved in sea preservation. We never kill anything we won't eat,” she said.

Some people, though, question whether she even catches the fish she poses with in the images she posts on social media. Part of the challenge is proving critics wrong and showing that a woman “can do things like this,” she added.

“It used to bother me - it definitely bothers my boyfriend. People don't believe I can do things like this,” Thomas told the Daily Mail.

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:04am PDT

A photo posted by Valentine Thomas (@valentinethomas) on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:04am PDT

She also called out the hypocrisy of people who criticize her for spearing and gutting fish, but then go and buy fresh fish from their local supermarket.

“People get really angry, they get upset because they are not used to seeing where their food comes from. Everyone turns a blind eye to what they are eating and I put the reality in front of them,” the talented spearfishing huntress concluded.

Read the full interview here.

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