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The seventh edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships is nearing its conclusion following the second day of Youth A competition at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi today. The championship concludes tomorrow, Sunday, after seven days of competition featuring more than 1,100 athletes from 55 countries. The UAE National Team has won 19 medals, including six gold, six silver and seven bronze.
Competition in Youth A, the championship’s oldest age category for athletes aged 16–17, continued with closely contested bouts as athletes competed for places in the final rounds.
Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, Technical Director of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “The UAE’s participation in the championship is the result of a development programme that starts with local competitions and continues through the different stages of National Team preparation.
“Our athletes go through several stages before reaching the World Championships. We use local competitions to identify talented athletes, then select them for training camps and specialised preparation before they compete internationally. At each stage, we assess their performance and decide what they need to work on next.
“The World Championships allow us to see how our athletes perform against some of the best in their age groups. Winning medals is important, but we also look at every bout to understand how each athlete is developing, what they are doing well and where they need to improve. We then use what we learn to plan their future training.”
Al Menhali added that international competitions give UAE athletes valuable experience and help the Federation develop the National Team and prepare the next generation of athletes.
Giorgi Kabulashvili, President of the Georgian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “We thank the UAE and the host federation for the support they have given all the delegations since they arrived. Everything has been well organised, allowing the athletes to focus on their competition and perform at their best.
“Georgia has a long history in combat sports, so we understand the importance of a championship that brings together so many talented young athletes. The level is very high and the competition between countries is close, which makes every medal important. We are happy to be in Abu Dhabi.”
UAE athlete Mansour Al Maqbool said: “A few years ago, I used to come to competitions and watch the athletes from the stands. I would imagine what it would be like to compete at a World Championship one day. Now I am the one stepping into the cage and representing the UAE. It is a very special feeling.
“Before a bout, it sometimes feels like time is moving slowly. But once the bout starts, I block out everything around me and focus on my coach’s instructions. Afterwards, when I look at the stands, I remember that I used to sit there and watch other athletes compete. That motivates me to keep training and improving.”
Namibia National Team athlete Yordanis Hernandez Sampri said: “Competing at a World Championship like this is a great experience for a young athlete. You face athletes with different styles and learn what you need to do to reach a higher level.
“The atmosphere at Mubadala Arena is great and the competition is strong
Every bout is a chance for me to learn and gain experience. I want to do my best, learn as much as I can and return home even more motivated to continue training and improving.”
The championship concludes tomorrow, Sunday, with the final day of Youth A competition, when the remaining divisions will be decided and the final results confirmed. The conclusion of the seven-day event will mark another major international MMA championship hosted in Abu Dhabi.