The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced the arrival of international delegations for the IMMAF Youth World Championships, set to begin in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. The event will be held at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City from August 6–10, 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.
Organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the five-day event is expected to make way for outstanding performances and fierce competition, with more than 800 male and female athletes from 47 countries participating. The competitions will be held in three age categories: Youth C (12-13 years old), Youth B (14-15 years old), and Youth A (16-17 years old).
His Excellency Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and Chairman of the Federation’s Mixed Martial Arts Committee, said: “We are delighted to welcome the world’s most promising mixed martial arts champions to Abu Dhabi, a city that has become a role model for hosting major international sports championships. The UAE capital offers advanced infrastructure, world-class organisational expertise, a sports-loving audience, and rich cultural and tourist attractions. This combination creates an integrated experience that fulfils the aspirations of both athletes and fans alike.”
Abdullah Al Zaabi, Head of Events and Activities at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation added: “We are focused on presenting a unique event that surpasses the success of previous events. We have doubled our efforts to enhance the logistical and organisational aspects to accommodate the sizable increase in participants we witness yearly. This reflects Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading destination for hosting and organising international championships and its position as the world’s capital of combat sports.”
“We have completed all preparations for the championship and the reception of the participating delegations, including logistical arrangements and transportation for the athletes and the technical and administrative teams. We have also ensured the readiness of the medical staff and volunteer teams, who will play a crucial role throughout the event. This guarantees a distinguished championship, meeting the highest international standards.”
The UAE National Team includes 51 male and female athletes who are eager to continue developing and achieving new accomplishments. In the previous edition, the team secured fourth place in the overall ranking during its second participation and won 12 medals—three times more than its first participation. The athletes are looking forward to this year’s edition to perform even better and further establish the country’s leadership in mixed martial arts.
Jasem Al Hosani, a member of the UAE national team in the Youth A category, said: “We eagerly await the start of this championship to demonstrate our skills against the elite athletes from around the world. Over the past few months, we have trained diligently, focusing on skill development, diversifying our methods, and participating in various competitions to test our abilities and gain experience. I am determined to win the gold medal and dedicate it to our beloved country.”
International delegations who arrived in Abu Dhabi also expressed their readiness for the challenge. Among them was Anton Blank, Vice-President of the National MMA Federation of Ukraine, who said: “Our team, consisting of 83 athletes and 37 coaches, is the largest participant in this championship. We have come well-prepared to compete and excel in various categories and weight divisions. Our goal is to win again, achieve a distinctive accomplishment, and defend our title for the fourth consecutive year.”
Elsewhere, M.N. Vikram, coach of the Indian team, said: “This is the fourth time the Indian team is participating in the IMMAF Youth World Championships. This time, our team is stronger and larger than ever. We have four medalists returning to secure their spots on the podium once again. We aim to deliver a very promising performance and improve our rankings. Additionally, we are focused on increasing our medal tally and enhancing our overall standing globally.”
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