Al Ain, United Arab Emirates – The UAE national team continued its impressive performance at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al Ain, adding a new bronze medal on the fifth day of the tournament. This raises the team’s total medal tally to 12, including one gold, two silvers, and nine bronze medals.
Friday’s competitions featured the Youth A category (ages 16–17), known as one of the most competitive and technically advanced divisions of the championship. The bouts witnessed high-level performances and fierce competition among elite athletes from around the world, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Abdulla Salem Al Zaabi, Head of Events and Activities at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, highlighted the significance of the Youth A matches, stating: “This is one of the championship’s most anticipated stages. We are proud of the world-class organization and the growing social and sporting impact of this event each year. Hosting the sixth edition in Al Ain reflects our commitment to expanding the sport’s reach and offering fans and young talent opportunities to engage. The tremendous support from our wise leadership continues to drive excellence and reinforces the UAE’s position as a global hub for MMA.”
Akif Mumtaz Siddiqui, father of Indian bronze medalist Ayaan Akif (56kg category), expressed his pride: “I’m thrilled with my son’s achievement today. Being here in Al Ain has been a fantastic experience—the venue is great, and the organization is world-class. We hoped for gold, and hopefully, he’ll succeed next time.”
Youth A competitions will resume on Saturday, with participating nations eager to secure more medals ahead of the championship’s conclusion on Sunday. The race for the top spots remains open, with strong contenders including reigning champions Ukraine, as well as the United Kingdom and Tajikistan. The championship is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This sixth edition further cements the UAE’s role as a leading destination for international MMA events.
