UAE Team Triumphs at IMMAF World Youth Championships with 12 Medals

The UAE team delivered a remarkable performance at the IMMAF World Youth Championships, concluding the event today in Abu Dhabi with an impressive medal tally. The team earned a total of 12 medals, including 4 gold, 1 silver, and 7 bronze.

Zamzam Al Hammadi Defends Gold Medal

Mixed martial artist Zamzam Al Hammadi stood out by successfully defending her gold medal in the Junior A 52.2 kg division. Al Hammadi showcased her skills with a decisive victory over Xerena Sikes of the USA, winning by unanimous decision. Her dominant performance included a swift submission win over Taghrid Akkawi of Palestine in just 1 minute and 32 seconds, followed by wins against Elena Indelicato of Italy and Sara Dembinska of Poland.

This victory marked Al Hammadi’s second consecutive gold medal, solidifying her status as a leading competitor. The Mubadala Arena was alive with celebration as she raised her hand in victory. Her sister, Ghala Al Hammadi, who also defended her gold medal earlier in the week, cheered her on from the crowd.

Overall Championship Standings

The championship concluded with Ukraine securing the top position for the fourth year in a row. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan claimed the second and third spots, respectively. The UAE’s Thani Almehairi (Youth A/65.8 kg) and Saeed Alnuaimi (Youth A/56.7 kg) both earned bronze medals, contributing to the UAE’s strong showing.

Event Highlights and Dignitaries

The final day saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, along with IMMAF President Kerrith Brown and other officials.

Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the event’s success and the UAE team’s achievements. Key highlights included the 12 medals won by the national team and the back-to-back golds secured by the Al Hammadi sisters.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown lauded the high level of competition, with 800 athletes from 47 countries participating. Tolly Plested, coach of the UAE MMA team, expressed pride in the team’s performance and commitment to ongoing improvement.

Reflecting on her victory, Al Hammadi remarked, “There are no words to explain how happy I am today. I’ve been working towards this moment since I won gold last year. The finals were tougher than I expected, and my goal was to win by submission. I dedicate this win to our visionary leadership.”