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The UAE were unable to secure gold, silver and two bronze medals in the first two days of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships, but they did feel their presence in the competition in Abu Dhabi.
The third World Youth Championship drew a record 486 athletes from 41 countries, with the UAE making its debut with 28.
Jasem Al Hosani won gold to become the first Emiratis to win a world title at the youth world, Abdulla Al Darmaki took silver, while Zayed Al Hammadi and Zayed Al Dhabari took bronze each.
Mohammed Al Awlaqi narrowly missed entering the medal round after being eliminated in the quarter-finals after winning the first two matches by unanimous decision.
“Winning a gold medal, a silver medal and two bronze medals is a very good achievement for a country that is participating in the youth world for the first time,” said the UAE’s Syria coach Sbi Rahal.
“Our goal was to win a gold or two, and we did. We can take a lot of positives from our first championship run and come back next year as a stronger team.”
Team USA head coach Chase Gamble hailed the IMMAF Youth World as a “great platform” for teenagers to emerge in the sport of martial arts.
The Americans ended their campaign by winning two golds, one silver and three bronzes on the fourth and final day at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City on Saturday.
Gamble said: “It’s fantastic to give kids a platform to compete at the highest level and to play under IMMAF rules without touching their heads.”
“That’s what they want to do with their lives. It’s a cool thing in mixed martial arts. Of course, it takes real hard work for these kids to do well.
“This is my second year with the national team and my kids and I put in five to six hours a day for the last 12 weeks before the championship.
“Some of them have 10-year plans to get to the UFC level.”
Updated: August 20, 2022 at 5:00 pm
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