The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has revealed the winners of its 2021 Young MMA Journalists Competition as Erik Uebelacker (USA) and Daniyal Nasir (Pakistan).
The two winners have earned the opportunity to report on the 2021 IMMAF World Championships under the training and mentorship of a senior journalist with decades of experience in covering elite, international sport, with all costs covered by IMMAF. The winners’ coverage of the action and news around the championships will be published on official IMMAF platforms. Launched in January, non-professional MMA journalists from around the world, of under the age of 27, were invited to apply.
The purpose of the new annual competition was outlined by IMMAF’s Marketing and Communications Commission Chairman, award-winning Olympic journalist, former Associated Press editor and mentor for the IOC Young Reporters’ Programme, Steve Wilson, as “to develop the MMA journalists of the future.”
Runners up, who made the shortlist for the final round of judging by IMMAF’s Marketing & Communications Commission panel, were: James Eakin (England), Joe Leigh (England), Jasmin Osman (Georgia), Michael Owens (England), Ross Patterson (Scotland) and James Sweetnam (England).
Assessment criteria applied in the final judging phase pertained to journalistic skills, style/ presentation and expertise in MMA.
IMMAF Brand & Communications Director, Izzy Carnwath, commented: “The competitiveness of the applicants at each stage of judging has been extremely high, showcasing the quality of upcoming journalistic talent. This is the first initiative of its kind in our sport. Supporting the development of young journalists is another way in which IMMAF is investing in the future of MMA.”
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown congratulated the winners, heralding the next generation of MMA journalists.
