Emirati female fighters made their mark at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi by winning three gold medals and contributing to half of the UAE’s total medal haul. The tournament saw Sara Alzarooni kick off the gold-medal streak, followed by Zamzam Al Hammadi and Ghala Al Hammadi defending their titles in their weight categories. Aisha Alhammadi, Maryam Almutwa, and Noof Almutwa also won bronze medals each, leading to a total of 12 medals for the UAE team.
Despite aiming for more, Zamzam stated her satisfaction with the achieved results. The team’s success was highlighted by the fact that female athletes took home three gold and three bronze medals out of the eight women in the UAE’s contingent. Zamzam emphasized the importance of not giving up on dreams and encouraged Emirati girls to pursue their passions. Maryam and Noof Almutwa expressed their determination to perform better in future championships and revealed that their twin sisters will also join the competition next year.
The event, hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, featured 800 athletes from 47 countries competing in five steel cages at the Mubadala Arena. The Emirati female athletes credited the support from the UAE leadership and the federation for their success. They emphasized that nothing is impossible for an Emirati girl due to the support they receive in the UAE. Sara, who won in the 40kg division, dedicated her medal to the leaders and the federation for providing the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious tournament.
Coach Tolly Plested commended the national team for their impressive skills and flexibility displayed during tough matches against the world’s top MMA athletes. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and highlighted their dedication and hard work. Plested mentioned plans to focus on intensive training to further enhance the team’s level of performance for future competitions. The fighters’ achievements reflect their commitment to representing their country and making their mark in the world of mixed martial arts.
