Emirati female fighters demonstrated their prowess by securing three gold medals, contributing significantly to the UAE's overall medal count at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships held in Abu Dhabi. Over the course of the five-day competition, Sara Alzarooni initiated the gold medal streak, followed by Zamzam Al Hammadi and her sister Ghala, who successfully defended their titles in their respective weight categories. Additionally, Aisha Alhammadi, Maryam Almutwa, and her sister Noof Almutwa each earned bronze medals.
“We aimed for more, but I'm content with what we've accomplished so far,” Zamzam shared with Khaleej Times. The UAE concluded the championships with a total of 12 medals, comprising four golds, one silver, and seven bronzes. Female competitors contributed three gold and three bronze medals, representing eight out of the 51 athletes in the UAE's delegation.
“Despite being a minority in this championship, six out of eight female athletes secured medals. It's a remarkable accomplishment. My sister and I are proud to be part of this achievement with two gold medals each,” Zamzam remarked. She won her bouts in the 52.2kg category through unanimous decisions, encouraging Emirati girls to pursue their aspirations.
“My advice to Emirati girls is to never abandon their dreams. Continue striving, do what you love, and perhaps you possess a talent unseen by others. Each woman has her own passion; she must pursue it and enhance it,” Zamzam emphasized. Maryam and Noof are already setting their sights on improving their performance in the next championship.
“We anticipated better outcomes. Four sisters from our family competed this year. Next year, our twin sisters will join us,” Maryam, a winner in the 52kg category, stated. The international MMA event, organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, featured 800 athletes from 47 countries in five steel cages at the Mubadala Arena. Emirati female athletes expressed their gratitude for the support from the UAE leadership and the federation.
“An Emirati girl can achieve anything with the backing we receive in the UAE. My accomplishments are just a small token of my gratitude to our leadership and nation,” Zamzam explained. Sara, a gold medalist in the 40kg division, dedicated her victory to the leaders and the federation.
“We owe this opportunity to compete in such a prestigious tournament to their support. I am honored to win for my country,” Sara remarked. Tolly Plested, the coach of the UAE MMA team, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance.
“They exhibited remarkable skills and adaptability in challenging matches against top global MMA athletes,” Plested noted. “They invested significant effort and gave their best. We will continue to enhance their skills through rigorous training to achieve even greater success in the future.”
