The IMMAF Youth World Championships returned for another day of fighting action at the Mubadala Arena as the rest of Youth B took to the ring. 34 more medals were up for grabs, and our athletes didn’t disappoint. We had first medals of the tournament for Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as a first gold of the tournament for Angola.
In the 40kg division Tajikistan’s Abubakir Rustamov narrowly clinched gold over home athlete Said Alblooshi of the UAE via a split decision. Fellow teammate Ali Mohamed Alnajar and Tajikistan Huseinjon Barotov, mopped up the bronze medals.
Theos McEvatt of England was thwarted to the gold medal in the 48kg division, submitting via armbar to Poland’s Ksawery Mosing. Serhii Sobishchanskyi of Ukraine claimed bronze alongside Georgiy Zavershinskiy who earned a first medal of the tournament for Kazakhstan.
Tajikistan claimed their second gold medal of the day in the 57kg division through Abubakr Sattorov who was unanimously voted the victor against Nurdoolot Borubekov of Kyrgyzstan. Ukraine’s Oleksandr Vitvitskyi and Italy’s Massimiliano Mazza picked up the bronze medals.
Ukraine turned the day’s close calls into a gold with Oleksii Bolbochan who defeated USA athlete David Daniels by unanimous decision in the 67kg category. Nicholas Pavon also from Team USA and Abdulelah Meeraleam of Saudi Arabia earnt their countries a bronze medal each.
To wrap up the male section, Tajikistan made it a hattrick of golds when Usmon Nazarov forced Ukraine’s Illia Hladiichuk into submission via an armbar. Fellow Ukrainian Serhii Sobishchanskyi and Kazakhstan fighter Georgiy Zavershinskiy claimed joint third place in the 77.1kg division.
Despite starting MMA just four months previously, Bella Adams of Team England joined her younger sister as a gold medallist by unanimously beating Mexico’s Ginger Molinares Torres in the 48kg final. Meanwhile Hungarian Imola Varga claimed a respectable third place.
Olivia Babiarz of Ireland thwarted Italian fighter Alice Crepaldi in the 57kg division with a submission via arm bar. Yana Pavliuk and Ugiloy Fayzullaeva earned joint third place for both Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Mayra Lemos gave the energetic Angolan supporters a reason to raise the decibels further when she won gold against England’s Valentina Pensavalle via split decision. Aisha Alhammadi of the UAE and Lebanon’s Marita Abou Farhat finished as the runners up in third place.
UAE’s Triumphant Run Continues
The UAE National Team has continued their winning streak at the IMMAF Youth World Championships, adding three more medals to their tally on the third day of competition. This impressive performance further solidified their dominance in the tournament.
UAE’s Medal-Winning Performances
On Thursday, in the Youth B (14 to 15 age division) at the Mubadala Arena, Saif Alblooshi (40 kg) secured a silver medal, while Ali Mohamed Alnajar (40 kg) and Aisha Alhammadi (62 kg) both won bronze medals. These victories highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of the UAE athletes.
Highlighting the Future of MMA
The IMMAF Youth World Championships, held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, continues to showcase the bright future of mixed martial arts. The event runs until August 10th.
International Recognition for UAE
Mohammed Al-Hosani, a member of the mixed martial arts committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the athletes for their impressive performances and for raising the UAE flag at this top tournament.
“We did everything in our power to organize this championship according to the highest international standards and to provide the athletes with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and skills. The strong competition and exceptional skills we have witnessed since the start of the championship reflect the skills of these athletes from different age groups and categories, as well as their commitment to training to reach this distinguished level. This showcases the bright future of mixed martial arts.”
Al-Hosani expressed the federation’s commitment to continue growing the sport and “enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as the world capital of martial arts and the first destination for athletes aspiring to achieve excellence.”
IMMAF CEO Praises the Event
Densign White, the CEO of the IMMAF, echoed Al-Hosani’s sentiments, stating that coaches and athletes have praised the organizers of the event.
“Abu Dhabi is known for its capability in organizing championships at such an exceptional level. They have the resources to achieve great things. The championships continue to see a growing number of participants every year. The championships are great for the kids, and parents love it. It’s a really safe environment for them, so parents feel comfortable letting their children compete in MMA.”
A Platform for Global Excellence
Bartosz Mamrod, Poland’s national MMA coach, also emphasized the importance of the championships as a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience by competing against the best in the world.
“We are proud of the significant progress our team has made compared to last year as we won two golds and a bronze in the previous edition of the championship. This year, we are only halfway through the competition, and we’ve already secured two golds and a silver, with two more days remaining to potentially increase our medal count.”
The IMMAF Youth World Championships continues to provide an exceptional platform for young athletes to develop their skills and compete at the highest level, solidifying its position as a prestigious event in the world of MMA.
The Future of MMA is Bright
The IMMAF Youth World Championships are a testament to the growth and development of mixed martial arts, particularly among young athletes. The event has provided an invaluable opportunity for these aspiring athletes to showcase their skills and compete on a global stage. As the tournament progresses, we can expect more thrilling battles and impressive performances from the next generation of MMA stars. The future of MMA looks bright with such a talented pool of young athletes pushing the boundaries of the sport.
