Day 2 of the 2025 Youth World Championships showcased exactly why the tournament is a key component of the MMA calendar for the stars of tomorrow.
With Youth C in action at the Al Ain Convention Centre, in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE, young athletes from all over the world had the opportunity to test themselves against their peers. Competitors from ages 12-13 gave a glimpse of what fans can expect for years to come as they put on incredible performances throughout the day.
Early on in the competition, it was clear that one of the categories to watch was Youth C Women’s 48kg. Two-time Africa Youth champion Gisela Luna of Team Angola was eager to earn World Gold, only to be bested by Team USA’s own Sky Ramos, one of the overall stand-outs of Day 2. England’s Georgina Green and Ukraine’s Khrystyna Khyzhun took Bronze.
Meanwhile, in Youth C Women’s 40kg, Lilah Adams and Enya Fieldhouse did a double for Team England, taking Gold and Silver respectively. Mariia Liakh, from Team Ukraine, and Team UAE’s Hessa Ali Khalfan Al-Mutwa took Bronze.
In the Youth C Men’s 52kg category, Jose Manuel Hernandez Sandoval made sure Team Mexico will at least repeat last year’s overall performance. He became the second Mexican youth world champion, denying Ukraine’s Yaroslav Bubela (Silver), Marco Bou Chahla, from Lebanon, and Davit Gasparyan, from Armenia (both earning Bronze medals).
Team Ukraine was victorious on Day 2 of competition, winning 20 medals overall, with five Golds, five Silvers, and 10 Bronze medals. Team England, yesterday’s winners, came in second with eight medals overall (two Golds, two Silvers, four Bronze medals). Poland and Tajikistan also earned two Gold medals.
In the overall table, a duel between Team Ukraine and Team England is shaping up to become one of the narratives of the entire Championships, as they have 17 Gold medals between them in only two days of competition.
The 2025 IMMAF Youth World Championships continues tomorrow, July 23, with Day 2 of competition for Youth C categories and Day 3 overall. Watch the action LIVE on IMMAF.tv
