UAE MMA fighters claim 7 more medals on day 2 of Youth World Championships

ABU DHABI: In a strong showing on the second day of the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Thursday, the UAE’s national team added seven more medals, to take their overall tally to 11.

The UAE were second in the medal table at the end of the day.

Athletes aged 14 to 15 years took the octagon on Thursday, with Ghala Al-Hammadi securing the first gold for the hosts in the female 40 kg division. In her last bout of the day, she defeated Uzbekistan’s Marva Rid Kamilova in a record 13 seconds by an armbar submission.

She was soon joined on the podium by her sister, Zamzam Al-Hammadi, who added a second gold for the hosts, defeating Ukraine’s Kira Voliashchenko in an exciting final in the 52 kg division.

Meanwhile, Saeed Alnuaimi (57 kg) and Salem Alhamoud (77.1 kg) both won silver medals. In addition, Omar Al-Raeesi (57 kg), Hamdan Al-Najjar (48 kg), and Saif Al-Hammadi (48 kg) added bronze medals to the UAE’s collection.

Halfway through the championships, the UAE team have already done better than last year when they won four medals.

Organized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the championship is set to run until Aug. 5.

Fahad Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said he was “thrilled beyond words” to see the level of interest and participation. “It underscores not only the growing popularity of MMA in the UAE, but also on the international level. It’s a festive atmosphere out there, and the crowd is very encouraging.”

Al-Shamsi praised the national team and the Al-Hammadi sisters. “The championship provides a platform for global MMA talents to gather and supports the development of