ABU DHABI: – UAE’s rising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) stars sisters Zamzam Al Hammadi (17) and Ghala Al Hammadi (15) are bracing to defend their World Junior Mixed Martial Arts Championship titles in the new edition 2024 competitions, set to take place from August 6-10 at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. The event will feature more than 800 athletes from over 45 countries, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s growing prominence in the global Mixed Martial Arts community.

Zamzam created history last year when she became the first woman champion in UAE’s history by winning the 52kg gold in the MMA Youth World Championships. Ghala followed in her sister’s footsteps, winning the 40kg gold with a lightning-fast armbar in the group stages, the fastest in the history of the tournament.

Zamzam said that she is appreciative of the challenge that awaits her in this edition, and at the same time realizes that the competition will be fierce among athletes from 45 countries, taking into consideration raising the country’s flag
on the podium, similar to what she did last year.

She added, ‘I am participating in this edition in the 52 kg category, and in the past period there were several stages of preparations, and I feel that things are very good and I am eagerly awaiting the start of the competitions,’ hoping that this edition will be a new stage for winning the title and maintaining the UAE’s global leadership in martial arts.

Ghala said that she is looking forward to put a strong performance in the new edition of the championship that will help her excel and retain the title despite the tough confrontations that await her.

She added that she continued preparing for the championship in the previous period with morning and evening exercises to achieve the best levels of readiness for the anticipated fights in the new edition.

Source: Emirates News Agency