By Caoilte de Barra
Registration for the 2022 World Championships is now closed, and divisions are filled with some of the World’s best amateur talent hoping to win gold.
The women’s atomweight division has proven to be one of the most exciting in recent years, providing fans with some incredible action. And with 2021 World gold medalist Nadine Abbott-Bissett now in the pro ranks, a new world champion will be crowned in Belgrade.
Returning to the division is Poland’s Magdalena Czaban, who most recently captured strawweight gold at the 2022 European Championships. The four-time IMMAF gold medalist has won a world gold medal on one previous occasion in the junior ranks and is now looking to replicate her success at senior.
Czaban missed out on last year’s World Championships and will meet some fresh competition this time around.
Newcomer Victoria Anthony is one to watch when the competition gets underway. She is part of the large United States contingent heading to the World Championships and brings a wealth of wrestling experience. The two-time Junior World Champion in freestyle wrestling fell short of Olympic qualification during her decorated career and is ready to make her mark in MMA.
Romania’s Alina Adriana Corbeanu had her breakthrough moment at the most European Championships, finishing Ana Maria Mavru in the opening round to put the rest of the division on notice for the Worlds. Despite still being in the early stages of her amateur journey, Corbeanu will be a tough contest for any opponent.
Mexico will have twice the chance of reaching the podium through Junior World strawweight silver medalist Nora Ochoa and newcomer Kerena Martinez Ledezma. Ochoa is moving down to atomweight for the first time and has been one of the nation’s standout athletes in recent years, leveling up with every outing.
India’s Vridhi Kumari is also set to feature in the competition. The 2021 World Bronze medalist impressed in her first outing before showing incredible heart in her semi-final loss to the eventual champion. Kumari is one of India’s most promising athletes and may find herself on the podium again.
With twelve athletes currently registered for the division, could we see a new contender emerge, or can Magdalena Czaban top the division once again?
Watch the 2022 IMMAF World Championships streamed live from Belgrade, Serbia, at immaf.tv from February 11 – 18.
