Latest news with #TeamAngola
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Caitey and Caiden make their dad's proud at IMMAF Africa Champs
SUCCESS Caitey Karagiannidis was full of smiles after earning South Africa's first gold at this year's IMMAF Africa Championships in the Youth A division. Picture: IMMAF It was a memorable moment for Karagiannidis, who not only flew the SA flag high but also her family name. Caitey is the daughter of renowned EFC and IMMAF official Bobby Karagiannidis and sibling to IMMAF Africa 2024 champion JJ Karagiannidis. Mzansi's Caitey Karagiannidis broke the 'golden' ice for her nation after beating Cameroon's Adjanie Benjamin Zanga in their Youth Women's Strawweight (52.2kg) category in Angola's capital city of Luanda. Team Angola once again shone on the medals table, bagging 14 medallions (6 gold, five silver, and three bronze), followed by Team South Africa, with gold (3) and two silver medals. Day two of the IMMAF Africa Championships introduced the Youth A (16 - 17 years old) division to the Pavilhão Multiusos do Kilamba in Angola yesterday. South African Fighters Shine with Multiple Gold Medals at African MMA Championships 'I feel amazing. It does not even feel real,' said Karagiannidis. 'This is an incredible feeling and moment for me. I am excited to see my brother win a golden medal, too. Let's go,' referring to her brother JJ, who will compete today. Caiden Bouwer was the next South African to win gold after beating his teammate Dante Damico in their Youth Men's Lightweight (70.3kg) final. Another well-known brand within African MMA and the EFC, Referee Wiekus Swart, will also be smiling from ear to ear as his son Caleb stood tallest on the podium in his Youth Men's Welterweight division after beating Angola's Obedy Sebastiao Antonio in their final. In the Youth Men's Featherweight division (65.8kg), Leandro Freitas bagged the silver medal after facing Angola's Manuel Domingos in their final fight. The 2024 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation's youth athlete of the year, Mayra Lemos, showcased her skill and potential once again on the continental platform when she beat Cameroon's Yelena Nkoassan in their Youth Women's Bantamweight (61.2kg) weight class. Lemos has repeatedly proven that she can achieve great things on the global stage. It was also heartwarming to see the growth of Cameroonian and Mauritian MMA. Cameroon continues to become a familiar fixture on the podium with each passing event, and Mauritius secured their first-ever gold medal at this tournament when Aveer Jootun beat Dinis Dinga Bravo in their Youth B Men's (72kg) final. IOL Sport
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Angola dominate on day one of IMMAF Africa Champs
STRONG START It was a great day for Mauritian MMA as Aveer Jootun secured the nation's first gold at the IMMAF Africa Championships in the Youth B (72kg) division after beating Angola's Dinis Dinga Bravo (left) in a closely contested battle. | IMMAF Team Angola lived up to its reputation as a dominant force within global mixed martial arts by topping the charts on day one of the IMMAF Africa Championships yesterday in the capital city of Luanda. With a proud fighting history, the host nation regularly enters by far the biggest team into the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation's flagship tournament on the continent. However, nothing can be taken away from the skill and heart showcased on the day as Team Angola secured 21 medals (10 gold, 10 silver, and one bronze) in the Youth B & C section. Down at the Pavilhão Multiusos do Kilamba, some familiar faces shone once again for the Republic including Gisela Luna and Claudio Fontoura who claimed their second IMMAF Africa Gold medals after shining in Windhoek, Namibia, last year. In the tournament's opening bout, 13-year-old Luna, who faced fellow Angolan Monica Cardoso, showcased dominant grappling throughout, controlling the pace and leaving Cardoso with limited opportunities.
