UAE National Team Wins Additional Medals At IMMAF Youth World Championships

The UAE National Team continued its winning streak at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi, securing three medals on Thursday. Saif Alblooshi earned silver in the 40 kg category, while Ali Mohamed Alnajar (40 kg) and Aisha Alhammadi (62 kg) each took home bronze medals.

Thursday's events focused on the Youth B (14-15 years) division. The team's medal tally now stands at nine, including three golds, one silver, and five bronzes. The championships are being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and will run until 10th August.

Prominent figures attended Thursday’s competitions, including Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation; Kerrith Brown, President of IMMAF; Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and Chairman of the Federation’s Mixed Martial Arts Committee; Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Dr. Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training; and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation.

Mohammed Al Hosani from the Mixed Martial Arts Committee praised the athletes' performances on Thursday. He highlighted the Federation's strategies to develop young talents for the future of mixed martial arts in the UAE. "We did everything in our power to organise this championship according to the highest international standards and to provide the athletes with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and skills," he said.

Al Hosani emphasised that strong competition and exceptional skills have been evident since the start of the championship. "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," he noted.

The Federation aims to promote mixed martial arts locally and globally while building a strong national team to represent UAE at regional and international events. This effort also aims to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for martial arts.

Positive Feedback from Participants

Densign White, CEO of IMMAF, shared positive feedback from coaches and athletes about the event's organisation. "The feedback I’ve received personally from coaches and athletes about the IMMAF Youth World Championships has been nothing but praise," he stated. He also mentioned that Abu Dhabi is known for its capability in organising high-level championships.

White added that parents appreciate how safe it is for their children to compete in MMA at these championships. "The championships are great for kids, and parents love it. It’s a really safe environment for them," he said.

Award Presentation

On the sidelines of the championship, Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and Mohammed Al Hosani received an award from Kerrith Brown. This recognition highlights their contributions to promoting mixed martial arts in UAE.

The ongoing success at these championships underscores UAE’s commitment to nurturing young talent in mixed martial arts. The efforts by various stakeholders ensure that athletes have opportunities to excel on both local and international stages.

With inputs from WAM