Abu Dhabi Muay Thai finish on top at UAE Youth Championship

The UAE Youth Muaythai Championship concluded on Sunday evening at Mubadala Dome, Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi, closing three days of competition organised by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation within the calendar of the 2026–27 Emirates Champions Season.

The championship brought together 790 male and female athletes from 51 clubs and academies across the country, delivering strong technical performances across every age bracket from 6 to 17 years old.

Abu Dhabi Muay Thai claimed first place in the final club standings with 20 gold, 15 silver and 6 bronze (41 medals in total), taking the youth title following strong competition from clubs and academies across the three days of the event.

Rankings are decided by gold-medal count, in line with the standard applied by IFMA and the sport’s international federations, which is why clubs with a higher gold tally place above rivals carrying larger overall hauls.

Competition was staged across 198 weight categories and five simultaneous arenas, made up of three rings and two tatami mats, all run under the technical regulations of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA). The closing day delivered the finals and third-place playoffs in front of a strong turnout of spectators, with closely contested bouts across every age group.

The championship is the second domestic event of the 2026–27 Emirates Champions Season, following the UAE Kickboxing Championship (Seniors Category) in September. Together they continue the Federation’s calendar of competitions designed to widen participation across the country, develop technical standards, and strengthen competitive opportunities across every age category.

The closing ceremonies were attended by Ali Khouri and Yaser Salem Al Saedi, Board Members of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, alongside representatives of the participating clubs and academies, who joined the podium ceremonies to crown the champions.

Tariq Mohammed Al Mheiri, Board Member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, said:

“The participation of 790 athletes from 51 clubs and academies is a serious indicator of how fast Muay Thai is growing in the UAE. It reflects the success of our ongoing work to widen the base of the sport and bring the next generation into formal competition, strengthening the standing and spread of Muay Thai across the country.”

He added: “We view the youth championships as an investment in the future of UAE Muay Thai. They are not only about competition and medal counts; they are the fundamental platform on which we identify talent, refine their abilities, and prepare a new generation with the technical and mental qualities required to move to higher levels of competition and, in time, represent the country at regional and international events.”

He continued: “We value the important role our clubs, academies and technical staff play in preparing athletes and developing their level. We will continue to work through the Emirates Champions Season to raise the quality of our domestic championships and strengthen the sustainability of technical development, in line with the Federation’s ambition to build a strong sporting base capable of delivering further achievements for the country.”