The Bahrain national mixed martial arts team are ready for the IMMAF Youth World Championship, which begins today in Abu Dhabi.
The championship will be held at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.
The delegation is headed by Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation president Mohammed Ali Qambar and includes Omar Bucheery as well as coaches Rinat Ispov and Sharap Jitinov.
Bahrain’s athletes participating in the event are Massad Al Azebi, who will compete in the 52.2kg Youth A division, Ismail Abdulla (56.7kg, Youth A), Abdulla Al Tahwadi (61.2kg, Youth A) Aseel Al Mutawa (48kg Youth B), Mohammed Yousef and Abdulla Qahtan (57kg, Youth B) and Khalid Al Assad (77.1kg, Youth B).
Qambar said: “We are grateful to Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority (GSA) chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his role in the development of mixed martial arts in Bahrain. We also appreciate the support of GSA deputy chairman and Bahrain Martial Arts Council president Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.”
He added that the national team members have completed all preparations for the event and have set their sights on top honours at the championship.
On the opening day, athletes in the Youth C category (12-13 years) will take to the octagon, promising a spectacular display of mixed martial arts.
Today’s activities at the championship will begin with weigh-ins at 7am, followed by the group stage and knockout fights starting at 10am. The finals will take place at 2.30pm, followed by the awards ceremony. The international teams and accompanying delegations have arrived in the capital and are currently engaged in last-minute preparations.
“Mubadala Arena is fully prepared to host the prestigious IMMAF Youth World Championships. The participating athletes are undergoing final training, honing their skills for the ultimate showdown,” said UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation board member and the federation’s mixed martial arts committee chairman Brigadier Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri.
“As the event is being hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for the second consecutive year, we have spared no effort in creating a distinctive and welcoming atmosphere for all participating athletes and delegations,” he added.
The four-day championship, running until Saturday, will see a record-breaking 636 athletes from 45 countries participating, ensuring an exceptional showcase of world-class MMA.