The 2024 edition of the IMMAF European Championships kicked off last Saturday with the Youth tournament, but this Tuesday it was the time for the Juniors and Seniors to take center stage in the biggest proving ground for amateur MMA. And Team Serbia seems to have taken advantage of being at home to drive themselves towards the top of the rankings with three huge victories.
Team Serbia was left behind only by perennial leaders Team Ukraine who earned big wins on Day 1, setting the stage for another huge medal count at Juniors and Seniors.
But the story of the day was indeed the home team, with Viktor Jankovic (pictured) leading the charge. The Junior Lightweight contender showcased tremendous striking prowess and wisdom beyond his years to land a showcase overhand left that dropped his opponent and earned Team Serbia the first of three victories. Elsewhere, there were major wins for Petar Markovski (also at Junior Lightweight) and Dejan Zivkovic (Senior Middleweight).
Elsewhere, the Key Matchups of the day delivered as Flobater Fares earned a big victory over Illia Sviatun at Junior Bantamweight, while Emin Omic (Junior Welterweight, Sweden) and Nazar Tarasevych (Junior Flyweight, Ukraine) were also victorious and advanced to the next round.
This Wednesday, April 3, new athletes will get their first taste of action as returning world champion Elias Erber makes his first appearance at the 2024 IMMAF European Championships. The Austrian Featherweight takes on Team Ireland’s Karl McConway with a place in the semifinals on the line.
Benoit Pringent, from Team France, is also looking to make a statement after falling short at last year’s World Championships. Another big name making his first appearance at the Last 8 for Seniors is Welterweight Ognjen Micovic, who’s the captain of Team Serbia, and a silver medalist at the 2022 European Championships.
Watch Day 2 of the 2024 IMMAF European Championships live from Belgrade, Serbia by going to IMMAF.TV and signing up.
Results from Day 1 can be found at Smoothcomp.com
