25 C
Dubai
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
spot_img

Helping a 16-year-old MMA champion fight in Abu Dhabi

[ad_1]

Sara-Jayne Makwala King talks to Umar Edwards from Athlone, who is trying to make it to the United Arab Emirates Youth Mixed Martial Arts World Championship.

16-year-old mixed martial arts champion Umar Edwards and Sara-Jayne.Photo: Cape Talk
16-year-old mixed martial arts champion Umar Edwards and Sara-Jayne.Photo: Cape Talk

A 16-year-old Cape Town MMA fighter wants to get into a cage in the United Arab Emirates, but needs your help.

Umar Edwards from Athlone is determined to showcase his skills at the IMMAF Youth Mixed Martial Arts World Championships in August.

The passionate and dynamic student at Pinelands High School has launched a ‘Support Friends’ funding campaign.

Edwards started with his Fighter Corp club in 2020 and has been climbing the ranks since then.

He started playing rugby as a kid and credits wrestling with his older brother as the reason for his love of combat sports.

But an altercation at a football game kicked off his MMA journey.

My dad told me that I should train in an active way and do MMA. I’ve been honing and perfecting my craft ever since. Since I started MMA, my grades have improved and my relationship with my family has improved. I’ve really improved as a person.

Umar Edwards, mixed martial artist

Mixed martial arts incorporate techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, muay thai and other disciplines.

Different categories have different rules.

There are three rounds in the under-17 competition, each round lasts two minutes, and players are not allowed to hit each other in the face.

Edwards has achieved excellent results in multiple mixed martial arts competitions across the country.

Three to five months after joining Fighter Corp, I qualified for the Western Cape tryouts. I participated in the national competition in 2021 and won the silver medal. In the final, I met someone with much more experience and got choked. In 2022, I had bad luck and won the silver medal again.

Umar Edwards, mixed martial artist

In 2023, I played three games. In the second game, I dominated but injured my leg. In the finals, I ended up losing to a guy I had beaten twice before. I also won my first Jiu-Jitsu competition this year.

Umar Edwards, mixed martial artist

Edwards said he is focused on his goals and growing in the sport.

It’s about the discipline of training every day. I also think about my opponents and what they are doing.

Umar Edwards, mixed martial artist

Edwards’ “Back-a-Buddy” campaign aims to fund his airfare, lodging, races and equipment purchases.

Athletes in the sport currently receive no government funding, and Edwards relies mostly on his father.

To support this initiative, please visit here.

Scroll up for the interview.


more from local

[ad_2]

Source link

Related Articles

Albeesmart Interior Turnkey Solution: Revolutionizing Interior Design with Innovation

Founded by Alban Dickqrose, Albeesmart Interior Turnkey Solution is a company driven by a passion for transforming spaces into aesthetically appealing, functional environments. The Spark...

Relaxopod Systems India: Pioneering Floatation Therapy in India

Imagine a place where stress melts away, the mind finds stillness, and the body rejuvenates—without the need for pharmaceuticals or elaborate treatments. This is...

The Resilient Journey of Subhendra Basu: Innovation in Cybersecurity

Subhendra Basu’s career trajectory is a powerful story of resilience, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity. With over 24 years of experience across major technology companies...

From Struggles to Success: The Inspiring Journey of Sagnik Jaiswal

Sagnik Jaiswal’s story is not just about professional success; it’s a tale of resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. From days of...

Saltbuzz: Revolutionizing Marketing with Creativity and Innovation

Saltbuzz, founded by Tanvi Ahuja, is a cutting-edge startup redefining how brands engage with their audiences. Driven by a passion for digital innovation and...

Latest Articles