By Frank Bonada
After emerging as one of the breakout stars of 2023, newly crowned IMMAF Junior World Champion Yana Shelemba has her sights set on capturing a second World Championship gold medal in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The 2023 IMMAF World Championships featured a host of incredibly talented returning athletes, including the likes of Otabek Rajabov (Tajikistan), Giulliany Perêa (Brazil), and Patrick Habirora (Belgium).
With such a litany of high-profile athletes competing, few expected a Youth Bronze medalist from Ukraine named Yana Shelemba to seize the spotlight. However, by the end of the tournament, the level of skill, determination, and resilience displayed by Shelemba firmly established her as a rising star in the flyweight division, leaving little doubt about her bright future in the sport.
Shelemba made an instant impact in her first bout as a Junior amateur athlete, submitting Mexico’s Diana Zamorano in the opening round. Next, she faced one of Ireland’s top amateur athletes, Kiya O’Sullivan, who had been touted as a favourite for the Women’s Junior Flyweight gold.
Once again, Shelemba exceeded expectations. She relentlessly pressured O’Sullivan, whose spirited efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome Shelemba’s pace and control. Shelemba secured a decisive victory on the judges’ scorecards, propelling her into the final.
With IMMAF gold on the line, Shelemba faced Kazakhstan’s Dinara Ayapova. Wasting no time, she overwhelmed Ayapova with a flurry of strikes, securing a TKO victory in just over a minute and claiming the Women’s Jr. Flyweight World title.
Shelemba’s next IMMAF appearance came just five months after her world title victory, at the European Championships. Now firmly established as the top athlete in her weight class, Shelemba rose to the occasion.
A rear-naked choke finish against Teodora Uzunuva (Bulgaria) quickly secured her spot in the final, where she faced Estonia’s Anna Vitol, who arguably presented Shelemba with her toughest test to date. Despite facing some adversity, the Junior World Champion secured a split decision win, becoming the IMMAF Junior European Champion.
Now a World and Continental gold medalist, Shelemba is set to defend her World title at the 2024 IMMAF World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Several familiar faces will be vying for her title, with Anna Vitol and Teodora Uzunuva already registered to compete.
However, Shelemba’s biggest challenge may come from the 2023 Junior Bantamweight World Champion, Ines Boulabarj (Belgium), who is moving down in weight. At the 2023 IMMAF World Championships, Boulabarj became the first female athlete from Belgium to claim an IMMAF World title. With two World champions now in the same bracket, the Women’s Junior Flyweight division will be one to watch for all combat sports fans.
Tune in to every bout at the 2024 IMMAF World Championships live at IMMAF.tv.
