Photo via CzechFighters.cz By IMMAF.org lead writer, Jorden Curran Standout amateur mixed martial artists of the Czech Republic were recently awarded honors following their representation of the Czech national team at IMMAF and WMMAA international championship events in 2018.
The annual “Night of Masters” ceremony is hosted by the Czech Union of Martial Arts, a government umbrella body for the nation’s recognized combat sports. Mr. Michal Hamrsmid, president of the Czech Association of MMA, alongside the president of the Czech Union of Martial Arts, presented awards to the MMA standouts and praised them for excellent representation of the Czech Republic and Czech Association of MMA at the international level.
Athletes who received honors included Manh Cuong Nguyen – welterweight bronze medalist of the 2018 WMMAA European Championships in Spain, Tim Ha – senior men’s featherweight quarter-finalist of the 2018 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified World Champions in Bahrain, and Lucie Vacová – 2018 Unified World Championships bronze medalist in the senior women’s bantamweight division. 
At the historic first IMMAF – WMMAA Unified World Championships, Vacová made her international amateur MMA debut after achieving success at the national level. The 30-year-old athlete entered the senior women’s bantamweight bracket with vast international experience as a decorated amateur muay thai champion. Following a split-decision win over promising Lebanese competitor Lama Nassar, Vacová advanced to the quarter-finals where she bested Sweden’s reigning IMMAF European Open champion, Frida Vastamäki, setting up a stunning first round TKO with effective striking to book her place in the World Championships semi-final.
The Czech Union of Martial Arts is a National Olympic Committee member which, in addition to MMA, covers 22 sport associations, including Olympic disciplines such as karate, boxing, taekwondo, plus full contact sambo.
Athletes who received honors included Manh Cuong Nguyen – welterweight bronze medalist of the 2018 WMMAA European Championships in Spain, Tim Ha – senior men’s featherweight quarter-finalist of the 2018 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified World Champions in Bahrain, and Lucie Vacová – 2018 Unified World Championships bronze medalist in the senior women’s bantamweight division. At the historic first IMMAF – WMMAA Unified World Championships, Vacová made her international amateur MMA debut after achieving success at the national level. The 30-year-old athlete entered the senior women’s bantamweight bracket with vast international experience as a decorated amateur muay thai champion. Following a split-decision win over promising Lebanese competitor Lama Nassar, Vacová advanced to the quarter-finals where she bested Sweden’s reigning IMMAF European Open champion, Frida Vastamäki, setting up a stunning first round TKO with effective striking to book her place in the World Championships semi-final. 
