The UAE Youth Kickboxing Championship wrapped up its three-day run on Sunday at the Mubadala Dome, located within the Al Jazira sports club in Abu Dhabi. Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the tournament served as a major showcase for the sport’s growing popularity in the region.
A total of 607 male and female athletes representing 51 different clubs participated in the event. Competitors were tested across 96 weight categories, covering four distinct disciplines: Point Fight and Kick Light on the tatami, as well as Low Kick and K-1 in the ring.
Abu Dhabi Muay Thai club emerged as the overall leader in the final standings, securing 18 medals including 12 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze. The International Gulf Sports Club followed in second place with 28 total medals—10 gold, 11 silver, and 7 bronze—while AJ Stars Academy took third with 15 medals, consisting of 9 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.
Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, highlighted the event’s success in fostering young talent. He noted that the federation is focused on utilizing the summer break to offer competitive platforms, expand the sport’s reach, and prepare national team members for upcoming international challenges. Al Neyadi praised the clubs for their dedication to raising technical standards and congratulated all the winning athletes.
A significant highlight of the championship was the inclusion of 40 athletes from the People of Determination community, supported by a partnership with the UAE Special Olympics. Al Neyadi emphasized that this initiative reflects the federation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the strength of its collaborative programs nationwide.
The closing ceremony featured several prominent figures who presented medals to the winners, including UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation board member Ali Khouri, WAKO PRO President and WAKO board member Carlos Ramjanali, and UAE Special Olympics sports programs director Omar Badawi.
Since its inception in May 2017, the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation has served as the official governing body for both sports. The organization is tasked with developing the technical and community foundations of the disciplines while training national teams for high-level amateur and professional competition on the global stage.
He continued: “We are especially proud of the participation of 40 athletes from People of Determination in the championship’s competitions, in partnership with the UAE Special Olympics.
The scale of participation and the range of disciplines on show reflect the Federation’s continued work in supporting clubs and academies, identifying young talent, and refining their technical and physical abilities.
“We are committed to putting the summer break to good use: providing official competitive platforms for our athletes, widening the base of the sport, and preparing our national team athletes for the international commitments ahead.”
He added: “Our congratulations go to every club and every winning athlete.
