Gisela Luna Fortes Anastacio is hoping to rise as the next big thing in African MMA as she prepares for the IMMAF Youth World Championship
The Mixed Martial Arts Ecosystem in Africa has seen a huge boost over the years due to the work of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). The introduction of the IMMAF African Championship has been particularly instrumental in promoting MMA at the grassroots level across the continent.
One of the most notable success stories from Africa is Angola’s Gisela Luna. At just 12 years old, she became the IMMAF African Champion in the Youth C category, in a history-making moment: she was the first-ever Youth athlete to become African champion under the IMMAF. Luna is now aiming to make her mark on the global stage at the IMMAF Youth World Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Luna was introduced to combat sports by her brother. Formerly a ballet and swimming enthusiast, she became curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) after watching her brother train. She soon shifted her focus entirely to BJJ.
“This art makes me stronger, happier, and more confident. I also learned to respect other people,” Luna noted about her love for BJJ.
Her dedication to BJJ led her to earn numerous medals and a grey belt. However, her biggest challenge came when she transitioned to MMA. Despite being a fan of the sport from a young age, it was only recently that she began competing.
Representing Angola at the IMMAF African MMA Championships has given her newfound motivation, and she is eager to excel at the World Championship.
“I am extremely proud of myself to be able to help raising the Angolan flag higher. I hope I can do it again. I want to put up a strong performance. Winning is not the more important aspect. I want to show my skills and my talent. This is my first year in MMA and I am prepared to show everyone that I am ready to fight,” she said.
The national federation in Angola has played a crucial role in her journey, becoming like a second family to her.
“They are amazing. Like a second family, sometimes they are like my best friends and other days they are like strict parents that make me obey the rules,” Luna added.
As she competes in the IMMAF Youth World Championship with the support of her National Federation, Luna hopes to inspire the next generation of African talent and achieve her dream of becoming a world champion.
“In Angola, MMA is helping the young kids to stay focused on the future, not only in MMA but also in the school. It gives purpose to life. I want to be a world champion,” Luna concluded.
The 2024 IMMAF Youth Championships will feature more than 800 athletes from around the world. Scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from August 6, the historic event is bound to showcase the next generation of MMA talent.
