The fourth and final day of the 2022 Youth World Championships has come to a close. Fights once again started at 10am (UTC+3) local time. Eight Youth A divisions, comprising of the world’s best 16 to 17-year-olds, competed for their spot on the IMMAF podium.
Uzbekistan and Ukraine were the big winners of the day. Team Uzbekistan finished two gold medals and a bronze. Ukraine matched with two gold medals, two silvers, and two bronzes.
Uzbekistan won gold in the lightweight division with Amirkhon Ziyadinov, and in the heavyweight division with Nurollokhon Abdullaev. Ziyadinov had to win six to do so, and Abdullaev four. Both looked impressive from early in the group stages, and helped cement Uzbekistan as one of the premiere federations in the tournament based on medaling.
Ukraine dominated the light heavyweight division, capturing both the gold and silver medal at 93kg. They found success at middleweight, too; Ivan Poremchuk and Maksym Selishchev won a gold and silver medal, respectively, for Ukraine. It’s been a successful week for the Ukrainians as a whole, finishing the tournament at the top of the medals table.
England’s Jack Grundy, son of UFC veteran Mike Grundy, had an impressive run in the group stages at welterweight. He beat his first three opponents with his father as his cornerman, claiming bronze for Team England.
But it was Brodie Mayocchi that made the most noise at welterweight. He scored three submissions, including an armbar over the highly touted Kristiyan Kanev, in his six wins to claim Australia’s first gold medal of the tournament.
Bantamweight Sani Brannfors won a gold medal in her division, giving Finland its second gold of the tournament. She beat all four of her opponents on the day, and stopped three consecutively with submissions.
The United States added three medals to their overall tally today: one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Their gold came from Citlali Perez, who defeated India’s Palak Nag via decision to add to an impressive run from the U.S.
Athletes of the day were surprised to be greeted by legendary BJJ practitioner Renzo Gracie at the medal ceremony. Gracie took part in the ceremony by presenting medals and offering his support for amateur MMA and the young mixed martial artists that competed at this year’s tournament.
A full list of medalists from Day 4 of the 2022 Youth World Championships can be found here, and all the results from the day can be found here.
