Athletes Commission’s Smajic and Shamkhalov Comment on Growth of Youth MMA After Attendance at 2024 IMMAF Youth Championships
2024 was another history-making year for the IMMAF Youth World Championships. Hosted in Abu Dhabi by the UAE MMA Federation, the 2024 IMMAF Youth World Championships demonstrated that elite youth competition might just be the fastest growing movement in what has historically been known as the world’s fastest growing sport.
The IMMAF Athletes Commission was represented by two members in Abu Dhabi; former IMMAF world-champion and now Athlete’s Commission Chairman and IMMAF Board member Irman Smajic, and multi-time IMMAF medalist Daniyal Shamkhalov, who officially supported the event by joining IMMAF’s team of safeguarding officers. Both have shared their thoughts and comments on the event.
Irman Smajic, Athletes Commission Chairman and IMMAF Board Member
“After attending the European Championships earlier this year, it was amazing to represent the Athletes Commission at the 2024 IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
“Coming from my own time a competitor at the World Championships, first in 2015, the evolution of IMMAF events in 2024, the scale of production and participation of nations and athletes never ceases to amaze me as I see how far the organization of amateur MMA has grown at the international level. I could never have imagined the standard of technical knowledge and ability being demonstrated at such at such a level and on such a diverse international scale by athletes as young as 12 years old.
“The introduction of a fourth judge to officiate bouts was a surprising change, yet this decision by the Regulatory Committee proved to be a greatly effective one. I look forward to reviewing what has been a hugely successful youth world championships with the fellow IMMAF board members. From the perspective of the Athletes Commission, it is important to always be mindful of how we may continuously look to improve or remain ahead of relevant issues within the organization of our championships and how this impacts the athlete’s experience.”
Daniyal Shamkhalov, Athletes Commission Member & IMMAF Safeguarding Officer
“Having returned to IMMAF two years after concluding my competitive MMA career, I was both glad and surprised about how much the sport has evolved since I left.
“I had never expected to see 800+ athletes conducting over 1100 bouts in just about 5 days. I had never expected to see the youth championship reaching and superseding the size of the junior and senior world championships.
“All the present parents, coaches and youth athletes showed me the burning interest the sport of MMA has developed and the enormous future growth potential it has.
“The vision of IMMAF to move the sport far enough for it to be granted Olympic status has never shone clearer than at this event, and this vision permeates all the efforts undertaken when conducting this event.
“I am curious about how things will develop now, and I’m very glad to be granted the opportunity to take part on this road to Olympic recognition.”
The IMMAF Athletes Commission can be contacted via email at [email protected].
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