UAE’s Ghala Al Hammadi Retains Gold Medal At IMMAF Youth World Championships

Ghala Al Hammadi from the UAE successfully retained her gold medal at the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Wednesday. The event took place at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the finals, she showcased her technical prowess and strength, defeating Ireland’s Emily Hannick by unanimous decision.

The IMMAF Youth World Championships, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, will continue until 10th August. On the second day dedicated to the Youth B (14-15 years) division, the UAE National Team added another gold medal to their tally.

Maryam Almutwa secured a bronze medal in the Women’s 52 kg division, bringing the team’s overall medal count to six. Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the team's performance. "Our athletes delivered outstanding performances today, and we are confident they will continue to win medals in the coming days of the Championships," he said.

Al Shamsi attributed their success to strong leadership support and strategic planning by the Federation. He stated, "This success is largely thanks to the limitless support of our wise leadership, which is crucial for our achievements, and the Federation’s plans and strategies to promote and develop mixed martial arts and build a team that competes with the best international teams and proudly raises our nation’s flag on the global stage."

The atmosphere at Mubadala Arena was electric with enthusiasm and excitement. A diverse audience cheered on athletes driven by passion and determination. Al Shamsi noted that this environment makes the Championships a celebration of sporting excellence, cultural exchange, and values like sportsmanship, respect, and tolerance.

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its reputation as a top destination for international sports events. It attracts both emerging talents and professional athletes aiming for distinguished careers in sports. Al Shamsi highlighted that there has been an annual increase in participants at these championships, reflecting mixed martial arts' rapid growth worldwide.

Future Prospects

Wissam Abi Nader, IMMAF Vice President, expressed his delight at returning to Abu Dhabi for this event. "I am delighted to be back in Abu Dhabi for the IMMAF Youth World Championships," he said. He also announced an extension of their hosting agreement with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for another three years.

Nader believes this extension will aid in developing mixed martial arts further as Abu Dhabi remains a key location for major international sporting events. "We’re continually raising the bar for the Championships," he added. The number of participating athletes is increasing with each event as they focus more on youth development and technical aspects.

Nader also mentioned improvements in their medical team, referees, and officials. "I’m pleased with everything we’re achieving," he concluded.

The UAE's Ghala Al Hammadi's victory highlights not only her personal achievement but also underscores Abu Dhabi's growing influence in international sports through well-organised events like these championships.

With inputs from WAM