Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Our UAE national team made a remarkable presence at the inaugural edition of the Asian Youth Mixed Martial Arts (AMMA) Championship. It was hosted at Khalifa Sports City in Bahrain on August 29 and 30 under the supervision of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Federation. The team won four colored medals (one gold, two silver, and one bronze). This was amidst competition from the continent’s elite rising talents. Despite only participating with five athletes, the team finished fourth in the overall national team rankings.
The tournament marked a significant milestone as the first continental youth event in the sport. This reflects the rapid growth of mixed martial arts in Asia. It also provided players with an ideal platform. Specifically, to enhance their skills and experience ahead of their participation in the Asian Youth Games scheduled for October.
Medals
Omar Al Raisi won the gold medal in the Under 18 Traditional Style -60 kg category. Abdullah Al Darmaki (Under 18 Modern Style -50 kg) and Omar Al Marzouqi (Under 18 Traditional Style -65 kg) each won silver medals. Ahmed Abdul Rahim won the bronze medal in the Under 18 Modern Style -65 kg category.
Mohammed Jassim Al Hosani, a member of the Mixed Martial Arts Committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the players’ achievement. He said, “We are proud of this honorable performance, which is the result of the tireless efforts and hard work of our young players. The national team’s results in this tournament reflect the significant development of the sport in the UAE. They affirm our commitment to strengthening the base of practitioners. We are committed to developing talent across age groups. There is no doubt that this participation represents a fundamental step. It is essential in preparing our players for upcoming continental and international competitions.”
He added, “This success in the AMMA Youth Championship motivates us to exert maximum effort before the upcoming continental competitions. It also enhances our chances of reaching the podium at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.”
For his part, gold medalist Omar Al Raisi said: “Participating in the first Asian Youth Championship and standing on the podium reflects the significance of the achievement. It shows the tremendous efforts made by the players. This was achieved in the face of strong competition from all competitors. I dedicate this gold medal to our beloved country, its leadership and people. I look forward to representing the UAE again in the Asian Youth Games.”
