Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 22: The UAE Mixed Martial Arts National Team added another medal at the seventh IMMAF Youth World Championships as Youth A action got underway on day five at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Ghala Al Hammadi claimed silver in the Youth A Women's 52.2kg division, taking the UAE's overall medal tally to 19, including six gold, six silver and seven bronze.
The championship features more than 1,100 athletes from 55 countries and concludes on Sunday.
Youth A is the final age category of the championship, featuring athletes aged 16-17.
At this level, the physical and technical demands increase, with athletes required to manage their bouts, adapt to their opponents and perform under pressure.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said, "Hosting a championship of this size strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a major international sporting destination. Events like this also give Abu Dhabi the opportunity to show visitors from around the world what the emirate has to offer.
"Thousands of athletes, coaches and families spend time in Abu Dhabi during the championship. Their experience goes beyond the competition, as they also get to see the emirate's sporting facilities, tourist attractions and culture.
"The impact continues even after the championship ends, as delegations return home with memories of their time in Abu Dhabi. We want them to experience more of the emirate while they are here. Sport can play an important role in supporting tourism, bringing people together and strengthening Abu Dhabi's reputation around the world."
Serhii Samoilenko, President of the Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said, "The World Championships are very important for our team. The level of competition gets stronger every year, and national teams are also improving the way they prepare their athletes.
"Ukraine has won the World Championship title five years in a row, but staying at the top is harder than getting there. Every athlete knows that their performance affects the team's overall result, so there is a strong sense of responsibility when they represent their country."
UAE athlete Ghala Al Hammadi, the silver medallist, added, "We prepared well for this championship and trained throughout the summer. It was not always easy to spend our summer break training, especially when we were tired, but we knew we had to stay committed.
"As the championship got closer, I could see that every training session and every day of preparation was leading to this moment. Before every bout, I focus on my plan and listen to my coach. Competing in Abu Dhabi gives me extra motivation because my family is here to support me. I am proud to represent the UAE against some of the best young athletes in the world."
Away from the competition, athletes and delegations also have the opportunity to visit some of Abu Dhabi's leading attractions through tours organised in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi. The tours include Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
The tours give participants the chance to learn more about Abu Dhabi's history and culture and experience more of the emirate during their stay.
Youth A competition continues tomorrow, Saturday, before the championship concludes on Sunday after seven days of competition featuring some of the world's leading young MMA athletes.
Source: Emirates News Agency
