Paul Abraham
The first wave of Youth B world champions were crowned on Day 3 with more to come on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
Another world title went to Ukraine, one of MMA’s foremost nations for youth development, as Karyna Kolezhuk added yet another gold medal to her IMMAF collection and Ireland’s Cameron Geraghty showcased his own development by winning the Youth B 52 kg world title after taking silver at last year’s championships. IMMAF junior athlete Ben Mahon was in his corner throughout the tournament.
Russia found success as Mger Safarian won the Youth B 48 kg division. Tajikistan added another gold medal through Ibrohim Mirzoev in the 40 kg division and Team UAE also celebrated gold as Rakan Alyammahi won the 44 kg title.
The Youth B 57kg division served as the highlight tournament of Day 3. The category delivered some of the championship’s closest fights and most elite technical displays among the young athletes, remaining competitive throughout the session from the group stages to elimination rounds. Uzbekistan’s Sardor Khalimov emerged from the thrilling talent pool to be the one who claimed gold. Each of his podium counterparts, Khadzhimurad Khalidov, Lasha Rekhvishvili and lev Kalinin equally impressed, in addition to group standouts such as England’s Ceejay Fenton, the decorated youth champion placed second in his group after going 2-1, exemplifying the competition’s depth of talent.
Day 3 completed the first half of the Youth B divisions.
The competition continues on Thursday with more world titles to be decided.
