On 10 August 2024, the curtain fell on the fifth edition of the Junior Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) World Championship, held under the generous 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.
The championship, characterised by intense competition and a vibrant atmosphere, drew a large crowd and concluded with the UAE national team securing 12 medals—four gold, one silver, and seven bronze.
The 2024 Junior MMA World Championship, hosted at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, featured over 800 male and female athletes from 47 countries. Ukraine emerged as the overall champion, with Tajikistan finishing second and Uzbekistan securing third.
The event, which began on 6 August, was organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation.
The five-day championship offered young MMA fighters from around the globe a chance to compete in three age categories: “Cadets C” for ages 12-13 on the first day, “Cadets B” for ages 14-15 on the second and third days, and “Cadets A” for ages 16-17 on the fourth and fifth days.
The final day saw several distinguished guests in attendance, including Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Kerrith Brown, President of the IMMAF, Brigadier General Mohammed Hamid bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation and Chairman of the MMA Committee, Wissam Abi Nader, Vice President of the IMMAF, Mohammed Qamber, President of the Bahrain MMA Federation, Densign White, CEO of the IMMAF, and Renzo Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend, along with representatives from participating delegations and embassies.
UAE National Team Performance
Competing for the third time in its history, the UAE junior team won 12 medals at the championship, including four gold medals. The gold medalists were Sarah Al Zarouni (in the 40 kg category for age group “C”), Ghaya Al Hammadi (in the 44 kg category for “Cadets B”), Rakan Al Yamahi (in the 34 kg category for age group “C”), and Zamzam Al Hammadi (in the 52 kg category for “Cadets A”).
Global Acclaim and Success
Brigadier General Mohammed Hamid bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, a member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the MMA Committee, expressed his deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for his generous patronage of the championship.
Al Dhaheri stated, “We are incredibly proud of the outstanding success achieved by the fifth edition of the Junior Mixed Martial Arts World Championship, which is a result of the limitless support and wise guidance of our leadership. The conclusion of this championship amid widespread acclaim from all participating delegations, athletes, heads and members of international federations, and the public alike, confirms Abu Dhabi’s success in making a mark on this sport by hosting world-class championships.”
He added, “We are delighted with the UAE national team’s achievement of 12 medals, particularly with the success of the Hammadi sisters in winning gold medals for the second consecutive year, a significant achievement we are all proud of. These accomplishments are the result of the efforts made by all parties to shape a bright future for the new generations of Emirati mixed martial arts talent.
This success is the culmination of our collaboration with all concerned and partner entities, as well as the dedication and determination of the athletes. We extend our sincere thanks to all the administrative and technical staff who continue to support the national team.”
Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), remarked, “It was an incredibly successful and outstanding championship, and we were delighted to see the next generation of MMA champions deliver exceptional technical and skilful performances. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation succeeded in organising a championship that met the highest standards.”
Brown further noted, “The participation of over 800 athletes from 47 countries competing at the highest levels reflects the success of our efforts to bring about positive change and develop this sport. The technical level of the championship continues to improve year after year, which confirms the effectiveness of our recommendations to national federations to focus on developing younger generations of players. The importance of organising events such as the Junior MMA World Championship and continental championships lies in ensuring the continuous development of this sport.”
Renzo Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend, shared his excitement, “The best part of this championship is watching the next generation of MMA champions. The tournament attracted 800 athletes competing at the amateur level, and I believe that in about seven years, many of them will be competing at a professional level and representing MMA with great passion. This is my second time attending this championship; the first was in Serbia, but this year in Abu Dhabi, the event was much bigger and of a high standard of organisation, with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation doing a fantastic job.”
Continuous Efforts
Tully Plested, coach of the UAE national MMA team, expressed pride in the results achieved by the national team’s champions in this important championship, highlighting the remarkable levels of skill and resilience displayed during challenging bouts against some of the world’s top MMA athletes. “They rose to the occasion and succeeded in delivering an outstanding performance,” he said.
A Golden Champion
Zamzam Al Hammadi, the Emirati champion who won gold in the 52 kg category, said, “Winning the gold medal for the second consecutive year in the Junior MMA World Championship is a great achievement that I am very proud of.
This achievement reflects weeks of training, hard work, and perseverance, especially as the competitions become tougher each year.
By the grace of God, I was able to overcome all challenges and raise the UAE flag. I am proud of my sister Ghaya, who also won a gold medal in the ‘Cadets B’ category, and these moments will undoubtedly remain in the family’s memory.”
She added, “I extend my deepest thanks to our wise leadership for their unlimited support, and I would like to commend the significant support and exceptional role of the federation and the technical staff, who provided us with all the resources needed to reach the highest levels of performance. I also thank everyone who supported and believed in me, starting with my family, coaches, and loyal fans. I look forward to participating soon in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the Asian MMA Championship, and the next edition of the Junior MMA World Championship.”
Championship Title
Bohdan Okryshkevych, the coach of the Ukrainian team that won the championship, shared his pride, saying, “Our team comprises 80 male and female athletes, and we were able to prepare thoroughly and compete at our best, achieving excellent results and winning the title for the fourth consecutive time. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation in organising this championship at such an exceptional level, which continues to improve year after year.”
Liubov Karavash, a member of the Ukrainian team who won the gold medal in the 47.7 kg category, commented, “Winning the gold medal at the World Championship is a unique achievement because the level of competition this year was very high, as I faced strong opponents with great skills.
This achievement required a lot of hard work, planning, and executing the right strategies for each match. What sets the championships held in Abu Dhabi apart is the excellent organisation and attention to detail, providing us with an ideal environment to compete with all our energy.”
A Unique Entertainment Experience
Visitors to the “Sports Village,” organised alongside the championship, enjoyed a unique mix of entertaining and engaging sports activities that blend tradition and modernity.
The Sports Village attracted families to participate in a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, promoting cultural exchange and strengthening community ties by bringing together athletes and spectators from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The village also showcased authentic elements of the UAE’s rich cultural heritage, providing an immersive experience for all attendees.
