BUY TICKETS: http://bit.ly/2fbYaJE In March of this year, IMMAF welcomed the Spanish Federation of Olympic Wrestling and Associated Disciplines (FELUCHA) as its representative in Spain for the sport of MMA. The organisation has a well developed support structure in place for its competitors that spans 17 regions and 10,000 members, and includes five permanent national training centres. On March 5th, the 2016 Spanish Championship of Amateur MMA was held in the city of Gijon with a participation of 63 athletes from 26 clubs across 15 regions – demonstrating a deep talent pool within the country. The event was broadcast live by MARCA TV and NOASPORT and was followed online by more than 15,000 people. Spain debuted under the IMMAF banner at the 2016 IMMAF World Championships in Las Vegas in July, with team participants Sergio Hortelano Rodriguez (Bantamweight), Alvaro Gomez Aregon (Welterweight), Alex Garcia Gurpegui (Welterweight) and Antonio Hermegones Galda (Lightweight) Returnee for the European Open, Sergio Hortelano Rodriguez, achieved a first round finish over the UK’s Raf Voza, to be defeated by ultimate World Silver medallist David Evans of USA. Meanwhile returning Welterweights Alvaro Gomez Aregon and Alex Garcia Gurpegui both met ultimate World Bronze medallist, Ireland’s Cian Cowley, to be defeated in their first matches. Heading into the 2016 IMMAF European Open with additional manpower, Spain will be looking to build on experience gained and lessons learned at the Worlds to forward a more formidable front this time around. Lead by coaches, Antonio Garcia, Israel Adrados and Pablo Ortin Rodriguez, Team Spain makes its European debut with the following competitors: -Gonzalo Cortes Benitez – Men’s Flyweight 56.7 kg (125 lbs) – Carlos Ibañez Aguayo – Men’s Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs) – Sergio Hortelano Rodríguez – Men’s Bantamweight 61.2 kg (135 lbs) – Alvaro Gomez Aragón – Men’s Welterweight 77.1 kg (170 lbs) – Alex Garcia Gurpegui – Men’s Welterweight 77.1 kg (170 lbs) For more about the IMMAF European Open Championships go to: http://www.immaf.org/championships/2016-immaf-european-open-championships/]]>
Spotlight on Spain: Team looks to Present Formidable Front at European Open
