Latest news with #YouthWorldChampionships
Arab News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
IMMAF Youth World Championships concludes in Al-Ain
AL-IN: The sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships officially concluded on Sunday with the UAE claiming another medal to take its total for the tournament to 13. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport This year's edition welcomed more than 1,000 athletes from 60 countries, competing in four youth divisions — making it the largest and most advanced championship in the history of the International Mixed Martial Ats Federation. At the conclusion of the event, Ukraine was crowned overall champion, followed by England in second place and Tajikistan in third. The winning teams were honoured at the conclusion of the event on Sunday. The UAE national youth team made a notable impact, securing 13 medals in the gold, silver and bronze categories. The results reflect the national federation's ongoing investment in youth development and technical excellence, strengthening the country's growing reputation on the global MMA stage. The final day also featured a ceremony to honor key partners and individuals who contributed to the success of the championship. Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and chairman of the MMA Committee, expressed his pride in the event's success. 'This championship reflects the confidence the international MMA community places in the UAE's capabilities. Hosting this global event in Al-Ain underscores our growing reputation for excellence in sports organisation,' he said. 'We are also proud of the outstanding performance of our young athletes. Their determination and discipline represent the spirit of our nation and reaffirm our leadership's vision to create opportunities for future generations in sport.' Organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the championship was held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and ran from July 21-27. Saleh Mohamed Al-Geziry, director general for tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, said: 'The rising popularity of combat sports in Abu Dhabi reflects a growing passion for athletic excellence and global sporting prestige. We are proud to welcome to the emirate the IMMAF Youth World Championships, a landmark event that highlights our commitment to nurturing young talent and advancing mixed martial arts on the world stage.' He said hosting the championship in Al-Ain for the first time would 'elevate Abu Dhabi's reputation as a premier hub for international sports.'
Arab News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Ukraine lead standings after Day 6 of IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al-Ain
ALAIN: Day 6 of the IMMAF Youth World Championships featured action in the Youth A (16-17 years) category, as the competition heads into its final stretch with Ukraine at the top of the medal table. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The International Mixed Martial Arts federation tournament is taking place in the Al-Ain region for the first time, under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. In Saturday's bouts, defending champions Ukraine held their lead and remain favorites to retain the title. England delivered another strong showing to stay close behind, while Tajikistan rounded out the top three. Mohammed Jasem Al-Hosani, member of the MMA committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: 'The sixth edition of this championship reflects the UAE's growing stature on the global mixed martial arts map. It sets a benchmark in professional organisation, community engagement, and international participation. The strong turnout and competitive spirit we've seen over the past week highlight the success of the federation's strategy to grow the sport and prepare new generations to represent their nations in elite competitions.' Gillian Pensavalle, mother of Valentina Pensavalle, who won gold in the Youth A bantamweight (61kg) division, said: 'We came all the way from England to take part in this important championship. We're thrilled with the result and proud of the gold medal. It took a lot of preparation and hard work. We've really enjoyed the experience. Al Ain region is a beautiful place, and the atmosphere at the event has been incredible. We're already looking forward to coming back next year.' The IMMAF Youth World Championships conclude on Sunday with the final bouts in the Youth A category. These matches will determine the final medal standings.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
UAE raises medal tally to 12 on fifth day of IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al-Ain
AL-AIN: Day five of the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Friday marked the start of the Youth A (16–17 years) category, widely regarded as the most competitive and technically advanced division of the event. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The UAE raised its medal tally to 12, including one gold, two silver, and nine bronze. The championship, held in Al-Ain until July 27, is organized under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Abdullah Al-Zaabi, head of the events and activities section at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: 'Starting the Youth A category is an important part of the championship, where the athletes' ambition is matched by their advanced skills. We are proud of how well the event is organized and the positive impact it has on both sport and the community. 'Holding the sixth edition in Al-Ain shows our commitment to growing the sport and involving more people. The strong support from our leadership is a big reason for this success and helps the UAE stay a key player in the world of mixed martial arts.' This year's edition has seen a noticeable increase in both the number of participating countries and athletes, earning widespread international praise for its organization. Hosting the event in Al-Ain region has also enhanced community engagement and highlighted the city's cultural and tourism appeal, adding value to the overall championship experience. The Youth A competition continues on Saturday, with national teams aiming to improve their standings ahead of the championship's conclusion on Sunday. Ukraine, the UK, and Tajikistan remain among the top contenders on the medal table.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Andy Brown began windsurfing on Loch Insh, now he's world champion
Earlier this month, Brown made history by becoming iQFOiL windsurfing world champion. It was a remarkable achievement for someone who was up against men who hail from nations in which windsurfing is a far more mainstream sport than in Scotland and his victory has, he hopes, set him on a path that will lead all the way to Olympic gold. Brown has long been a fan of what he calls 'niche sports'. His first love was not football which so dominates his home city but trapezing over water, which he spent most of his afternoons as a child practicing at the Western Baths in Drumchapel. With opportunities to make a career out of trapezing unsurprisingly limited in his home country, Brown's attentions soon turned to windsurfing, for which he'd found a love after trying it at a summer camp aged just 10. In the early days, Brown may have been operating on a relatively low level but he quickly became aware of quite how thrilling a sport windsurfing can be as one's abilities progress and that, he admits, was a major attraction for him. 'When you're 10 years old, you're not going super-fast but I saw the older guys doing tricks and at the top level, you can reach about 31 knots (over 35mph) which is pretty fast and I really liked the look of that,' the 25-year-old says. "It's a great sport in that you're out on the water all day and at my local club, there was a good bunch of guys and a great coach so I just really enjoyed it right from the start.' Brown progressed through the ranks, going from club competitions through to Scottish, British and then international events. Silverware at the Youth World Championships highlighted his potential and although his early years as a professional brought him considerable success, it wasn't a patch on what he achieved earlier this month at the World Championships. After a competitive battle with Frenchman Tom Arnoux, Brown came out on top to take the world title and the Dorset-based Scot admits that although his hopes had been relatively high going into the World Championships in Aarhus in Denmark, becoming world champion was well beyond what he'd ever imagined achieving. Andy Brown won his world title in Aarhus (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) 'Going into the Worlds, my confidence was pretty high and I was hoping for a top five performance. Top five would have been a bit of a dream so to actually win was just incredible,' says Brown, whose celebrations for becoming world champion have been relatively tame - merely a few trips to the pub. 'Anyone in the top 15 in the world could probably win these major competitions because it's very small margins in this sport. It's about doing everything perfectly in the build-up and then everything going your way on the day. 'It's my best World Champs result ever by far - I was fifth in 2021, but last year I finished in the 30s so when I realised I'd won this one, my main feeling initially was shock. It felt pretty surreal and I didn't really believe it.' Andy Brown with his gold medal (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown has been a full-time windsurfer since 2017 and his career trajectory has not, he admits, been smooth. But throughout even his greatest disappointments, there was one thing that kept him going and the bank of experience he's accumulated over the years went a considerable way to helping him claim his maiden world title, and will, he hopes, help him successfully defend it on home waters when the 2026 World Championships are held in Weymouth and Portland on the south coast of England next summer. 'I've definitely not had the smoothest path to this point. I've had some good results but I've also had some pretty bad results along the way as well, so it's been quite a journey,' he says. 'But what has always kept me going is how much I love doing what I'm doing. If I didn't love it as much as I do, I would have stopped a long time ago. 'The struggles are all part of the journey and to consistently perform at the top level in this sport, you do need to go through years and years of struggling and figuring things out before you figure it out.' Brown (left) is now targeting the 2028 Olympics (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown's discipline, the iQFOiL class, became an Olympic event for the first time last summer, in Paris. Brown was forced to face the disappointment of missing out on a place in Team GB but that blow of failing to become an Olympian only served to strengthen his will to not only be at the LA Olympics in 2028, but emerge as Olympic champion. 'Missing out on Paris was tough, but I didn't really deserve to be there because I wasn't at the required level at the right time. I feel like I only want to go to the Olympics when I'm in a position to contend for a medal, and I wasn't ready for that,' he says. 'I feel like I've learned from it, though, and I've used it to drive me on. 'I'm at the point now where I've made a lot of the mistakes and so I'm much more aware of what to do and what not to do and that hopefully will help me when I get to the Olympics in 2028.'
Arab News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Saif Alblooshi wins first gold for UAE at IMMAF Youth World Championships
AL-AIN: The UAE's Saif Alblooshi clinched the host nation's first gold medal at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al-Ain on Wednesday, defeating Azizullo Mirzoev of Tajikistan in the men's Youth B (14–15 years) 40 kg final. Alblooshi delivered a composed and technically dominant performance, spurred on by strong support from the home crowd. This marks the second time Alblooshi has won gold at the IMMAF Youth World Championships, having also topped the podium in 2023 in the same weight division. Adding to the UAE's medal tally, Ghala Al-Hammadi secured silver in the women's Youth B 44 kg category. The results mean the UAE's haul now stands at 11 — one gold, two silver and eight bronze. Day three saw the start of the Youth B category at the ADNEC Centre in Al-Ain. The division continues on Thursday, with more closely matched bouts expected as athletes compete across multiple weight classes. The event, hosted in the Al-Ain region for the first time runs until July 27 under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Mohammed Jasem Al-Hosani, member of the MMA Committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: 'We are seeing clear progress each day in terms of technical skill and tactical discipline shown by athletes inside the cage. This year's championship is gaining momentum and reflects a promising future for youth athletes around the world. The strong spectator presence and family support have added a meaningful community and cultural dimension to the event.'
