UAE's Ghala Al Hammadi successfully defended her gold medal from the previous year at the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Wednesday, which took place at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the final match, she surpassed Ireland’s Emily Hannick, showcasing remarkable technical skills and strength, and achieved victory through a unanimous decision.
On the second day of the Championships, focused on the Youth B (14-15 years) category, the UAE National Team maintained its winning momentum, adding another gold medal to its collection. Maryam Almutwa secured the final medal of the day, a bronze in the Women’s 52 kg division, elevating the team’s total medal count to six.
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the team for their exceptional performance. “Our athletes showcased remarkable performances today, and we are confident they will continue to secure medals in the upcoming days of the Championships,” Al Shamsi stated.
Al Shamsi highlighted that the championships have experienced a yearly increase in participants, indicating the global surge in mixed martial arts and reinforcing efforts at both local and international levels to foster the sport’s growth. Al Hammadi, who clinched gold in the Junior 44 kg category, expressed: “I am truly happy and proud to win gold and represent our country. This accomplishment would not have been achievable without the support from our wise leadership and the federation, who provided all the necessary resources for Emirati athletes to thrive. I am thankful to have made my country proud.
“I encountered numerous formidable opponents, which posed a significant challenge. I had to adapt my strategies and employ both offensive and defensive tactics to secure the win. This victory is a testament to the hard and collaborative work of my coaches and teammates.”
