By Frank Bonada
Day 3 of the 2024 IMMAF World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan once again raised the bar, as athletes competed for coveted semi-final spots, with standout performances across multiple divisions.
2023 Atomweight World Champion Amy Scully (Ireland) started her campaign in commanding form, securing a first-round victory to advance. Meanwhile, her potential final-round opponent, Julia Glaz of Poland, who previously bested Scully, also earned a decisive win on her side of the bracket. A rematch in the finals could be on the horizon, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown between the two world-class fighters.
Ukraine’s Yana Shelemba, another returning champion, showcased her elite skills with a dominant performance against Marjona Raimjonova of Uzbekistan. Shelemba’s control of the bout was so overwhelming that Raimjonova’s corner called for an early stoppage, propelling Shelemba into the next round with a clear path toward defending her title.
In a surprise turn in the Senior Atomweight division, reigning champion Jimena Osorio from Uruguay faced an early exit after a bout with Brazilian talent Geovania Vieira. Osorio made history last year as Uruguay’s first gold medalist, but Vieira’s striking and relentless pace proved too much, ending Osorio’s title defence.
The Senior Bantamweight division is heating up as two top contenders, Flobater Fares (Ireland) and Samba Sima (France), ready for a high-stakes semi-final clash. Fares delivered one of his strongest IMMAF performances to date, capping off a dominant showing against Angola’s Leonardo Pascoal with a slick submission. On the other side, Sima continued his streak of first-round finishes, marking himself as one of the division’s most dangerous athletes.
In the men’s categories, Bahrain’s elite trio of champions, Gadzhi Gadzhiev, Gimbat Magomedov, and Sultan Gapizov, each demonstrated why they are considered a powerhouse in the IMMAF circuit. All three fighters delivered decisive victories, showcasing Bahrain’s depth of talent and securing their places in the semi-finals.
Day 4 promises to bring even more action as athletes across divisions continue their quest for IMMAF gold and glory.
