By João Vitor Xavier
The continent of Asia was strongly represented at this year’s IMMAF Youth World Championships. Headed by an incredible campaign from Tajikistan, Asian nations were out in force in Al-Ain, delivering memorable performances that highlighted the continued development of MMA across the region.
In total, 12 Asian countries returned home with at least one medal, with half of them also earning at least one world title. The medal-winning nations were: Tajikistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, UAE, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, India, and Iraq.
Tajikistan finished the competition in third place on the overall medal table, with the national federation’s excellent work being crowned by this outstanding campaign. The team saw eight youth world champions crowned, adding a further seven silver and eight bronze medals to their tally.
Muhammadjon Pirov finally reached the top of the podium after earning silver in 2023 and bronze in 2024. Competing in the Youth A Men’s Featherweight division, Pirov was outstanding and set the tone for Team Tajikistan’s success. Other standouts included Abubakr Sattorov (Youth B Men’s 62kg), Abdurahim Rakhimov (Youth C Men’s 34kg), and Firuzjon Amrdinzoda (Youth C Men’s 44kg), who all returned to Dushanbe as youth world champions.
Armenia and Uzbekistan also produced campaigns to remember, as both nations continue to build for the future in impressive fashion. Each secured two world titles: Davit Sevlikyan (Youth B Men’s 67kg) and Monika Asryan (Youth C Women’s 34kg) for Armenia, and Abdulaziz Kholmatov (Youth A Men’s Flyweight) alongside Abubakr Mirzakhujaev (Youth C Men’s 31kg) for Uzbekistan.
Asia has long been recognised as a hotbed for amateur MMA, and the continent looks set to continue its rise as the next IMMAF World Championships take place in Tbilisi, Georgia.
