Pictured above: Amateur MMA medalist Hannah Dawson alongside NZMMAF coaches Paulo Oliveira (left) and Matt Toa (right). By IMMAF.org lead writer, Jorden Curran Former World Championships silver medalist, Hannah Dawson, is set to return to the international amateur platform next month when her home nation, New Zealand, welcomes the Oceania Open Championships for the first time. Dawson earned the silver medal for New Zealand in the strawweight division of the 2017 IMMAF World Championships, picking up three victories en route to the final including a first round TKO of India’s Naipunya Sunil, plus a highlight unanimous decision over European front runner Raluca Dinescu, who would go on to win the world title for Romania at the historic 2018 Unified World Championships. Dawson secured a last decision win in the semi-finals, against tough Mexican standout, Sara Cova, before advancing to face Sweden’s Anna Astvik. The duo wold go the distance with Astvik earning the judge’s decision . Hosted by the New Zealand MMA Federation at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, the 2019 Oceania Open will span two days from 13 to 14 April, and present opportunities for competitors across sixteen weight divisions (from Atomweight to Lightweight for women, and Strawweight to Super Heavyweight for men) to accumulate experience and accrue points for individuals and national teams in the IMMAF – WMMAA Amateur MMA World Rankings. Representatives of the New Zealand national team at the 2019 Oceania Open Championships include: Women’s Strawweight: Hannah Dawson Women’s Flyweight: Anne Wilson Men’s Featherweight: Brad Ramsey Men’s Featherweight: Nick Thornton Middleweight: Ezekiel Wetere Light-Heavyweight: Marc Lelievre National team registration remains open until March 15. Click HERE for more information.]]>
Former World Silver Medalist Hannah Dawson Returns for 2019 Oceania Open
