Alblooshi wins UAE’s first gold medal at IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al Ain

The UAE’s Saif Alblooshi clinched the host nation’s first gold medal at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al Ain on Wednesday, defeating Azizullo Mirzoev of Tajikistan in the men’s Youth B (14–15 years) 40 kg final.

Alblooshi delivered a composed and technically dominant performance, earning strong support from the home crowd.

This marks the second time Alblooshi has won gold at the IMMAF Youth World Championships, having also topped the podium in 2023 in the same weight division.

Adding to the UAE’s medal tally, Ghala Al Hammadi secured a silver medal in the Youth B women’s 44 kg category. With these results, the UAE’s total medal count now stands at 11: one gold, two silver, and eight bronze.

Day three of the championship marked the start of the Youth B category at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain.

The division continues on Thursday, with more closely matched bouts expected as athletes with similar skill levels compete across multiple weight classes.

The event, hosted in the Al Ain region for the first time and running until July 27, is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Wednesday’s competitions were attended by several dignitaries, including Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation, President of the UAE Esports Federation, Chairman of Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, and Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi; Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Rashed Musabah Al Manei, the Director General of Al Ain City Municipality; Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation;

Khaled Abdullah Al Dhaheri is the Director of the Abu Dhabi Business Centre in Al Ain; Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and Wissam Abi Nader, Vice President of the International Federation.

Mohammed Jasem Al Hosani, Member of the MMA Committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said, “We are seeing clear progress each day in terms of technical skill and tactical discipline shown by athletes inside the cage. This year’s championship is gaining momentum and reflects a promising future for youth athletes around the world. The strong spectator presence and family support have added a meaningful community and cultural dimension to the event.”

Earlier, the sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships officially got underway on Monday in the Al Ain.

The event, held in the city for the first time, is taking place at ADNEC Centre Al Ain and features a record participation of more than 1,000 male and female athletes representing 60 countries.

Organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the championship runs until July 27.

The opening day featured high-intensity bouts and a vibrant atmosphere, with strong attendance from spectators and the participation of rising talent from across the globe.

For the first time since the championship’s inception, competitions in the Youth D category, for athletes aged 10 to 11, were held.

This milestone reflects the organisers’ commitment to broadening participation and supporting the development of young athletes from an early age.

The UAE National Team made an impressive start on the opening day. Their performance highlighted their strong technical preparation and determination to achieve further success throughout the week.

Kerrith Brown, President of IMMAF, expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation. He noted that this edition is the largest since the championship began in 2019 and serves as an ideal platform for cultural exchange and for promoting positive values among youth worldwide.

He added that the UAE has become a leading model for hosting international sporting events, supported by its ambitious vision, world-class infrastructure and commitment to empowering youth in the field of sports.