The inaugural Youth Continental Tournament of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has commenced in Belgrade, Serbia, marking a significant milestone in the history of amateur mixed martial arts. The competition began on Saturday, March 30, with the Youth B and Youth C categories taking centre stage.
On the opening day of the championships, Ireland and Ukraine emerged as dominant forces, collectively securing an impressive total of 47 medals. Armenia also made an unexpected impact, claiming 5 gold medals, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
Standout performances from the Irish contingent included Roman Verhoeven, who secured gold in the Youth C 34kg category, and Cameron Geraghty, who impressed in the Youth C 40kg category. Ukraine’s Nikyta Popinko showcased his talent with a gold medal in the Youth C 57kg category, while Oleksandr VItvitskyi captured gold in the Youth B 57kg category.
Hosts Team Serbia celebrated a late victory as Mateja Dakserovic claimed their first European Youth gold medal in the 72kg Youth B category. Nevertheless, the night ended in disappointment for Serbia as Vladimir Ostojic was unable to compete in the gold medal match against Martin Petrov from Bulgaria at Youth B 77.1kg, settling for a silver medal.
The IMMAF European Championships will continue on Sunday, March 31, with the Youth A tournament, followed by the Junior and Senior categories. The Junior finals are scheduled for Friday, April 5, and the gold medal matches for all Senior categories will take place on Saturday, April 6.
The exceptional talent and competitive spirit displayed by the young athletes have set the stage for an exhilarating week of amateur MMA. The historical significance of the championship, coupled with the extraordinary performances witnessed on the first day, has captured the attention of MMA enthusiasts worldwide. As the event unfolds in Serbia, it promises to be a demonstration of skill, determination, and remarkable athleticism, as the future stars of mixed martial arts showcase their potential on the grand stage.