The UAE Youth Muaythai Championship concluded this Sunday at the Mubadala Dome, located at Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi. Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the three-day tournament served as a pivotal fixture in the 2026–27 Emirates Champions Season.
This year’s competition drew 790 male and female participants ranging from 6 to 17 years old, representing 51 different clubs and academies nationwide. Athletes competed across 198 weight categories using five distinct arenas, comprising three rings and two tatami mats, all operating under the official technical standards of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA). “The participation of 790 athletes from 51 clubs and academies is a serious indicator of how fast Muay Thai is growing in the UAE. Strengthening the standing and spread of Muay Thai across the country.”, it reflects the success of our ongoing work to widen the base of the sport and bring the next generation into formal competition. Refine their abilities, and prepare a new generation with the technical and mental qualities required to move to higher levels of competition and, in time, represent the country at regional and international events.”, they are not only about competition and medal counts; they are the fundamental platform on which we identify talent.
Abu Dhabi Muay Thai emerged as the overall leader in the club standings, securing the youth title with a total of 41 medals—20 gold, 15 silver, and 6 bronze. In adherence to international sporting standards, rankings were determined by gold-medal tallies rather than total medal volume. In line with the standard applied by IFMA and the sport’s international federations, which is why clubs with a higher gold tally place above rivals carrying larger overall hauls, rankings are decided by gold-medal count.
The event served as the second domestic highlight of the current season, following the senior-level UAE Kickboxing Championship held in September. These recurring events form part of the federation’s broader strategy to expand the sport’s reach, enhance technical standards, and provide consistent competitive platforms for athletes of all ages.
Board Member Tariq Mohammed Al Mheiri noted that the high turnout of 790 athletes highlights the rapid growth of Muay Thai within the UAE. He emphasized that the youth championships function as a strategic investment, acting as a talent pipeline to identify and refine the next generation of competitors capable of representing the nation on global stages.
The final day featured closing ceremonies attended by federation board members Ali Khouri and Yaser Salem Al Saedi, who joined club representatives to award the victors. Al Mheiri praised the collaborative efforts of technical staff and academies, confirming that the federation will continue to focus on sustainable technical development throughout the remainder of the Emirates Champions Season to build a robust sporting foundation for the country. With closely contested bouts across every age group, the closing day delivered the finals and third-place playoffs in front of a strong turnout of spectators.
