The Ramadan Boxing Championship concluded successfully this week as part of the Al Ain Sports Tournament.
The event was hosted in the sports hall of Al Ain Club and was held under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Saeed Bin Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan.
The championship saw significant participation with 122 male and female athletes, both local and international, representing six Arab and foreign countries.
The tournament was organized by the Al Ain Ramadan Tournament Organizing Committee in collaboration with the UAE Boxing Federation.
The winners were crowned by Dr. Ahmed Salem Bin Sudin, Chairman of the Emirates Association for the Care and Welfare of Parents, in the presence of Nasreen Ali Bin Darwish, Tournament Director, Omar Al Jabri, Board Member of the UAE Boxing Federation, Sultan Al Harami, Acting Head of the Technical Committee, Mohamed Al Shibli, National Teams Technical Director, and other notable figures.
The opening ceremony was attended by Anas Al Otaiba, President of the UAE Boxing Federation, along with federation members Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General, and Omar Al Kindi, while the closing ceremony was attended by Ali Salama, Federation Technical Secretary, and Bassam Ghanem, Assistant Technical Secretary, along with a large audience of fans and players' families.
A total of 17 local clubs and training centers participated, alongside six GCC clubs, as well as athletes from Iran.
After three days of competition, Al Ain Club won the first place and championship trophy, while Rocky Road Boxing Club Dubai claimed second place and Fujairah Martial Arts Club secured third spot.
Otaiba, expressed his gratitude for the remarkable participation in the first edition of the tournament during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
He particularly praised the presence of top Arab boxing stars and international athletes. Otaiba extended his thanks to Sheikh Dr Saeed Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan for his sponsorship and to the organizing committee, led by Nasreen Ali Bin Darwish, for their efforts.
He confirmed that the federation would continue to provide technical and logistical support for such tournaments that benefit the sport and its practitioners.
Nasreen praised the success of the championship, despite it being the first edition during Ramadan.
She was pleased with the cooperation from the UAE Boxing Federation under Otaiba’s leadership.
She also mentioned the participation of UAE national team athletes and international players from five countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran.
She thanked Sheikh Dr. Saeed for his support, and acknowledged the efforts of Mohamed Moshbash Al Shibli, the federation's technical director, and the event’s referees.
She emphasized that the success of this tournament encouraged the idea of making it an annual event during the holy month of Ramadan.
Mohammed Al Zahmi, the pride of Fujairah Martial Arts Club, competing in the 51 kg category clinched gold with a win over Ghanem Abdullah Salem of Badi Classic Center.
In the 57 kg division, Idris Tarek Mohammed Rocky Road Boxing Club Dubai secured gold against Nawaf Khamees of Fujairah Martial Arts Club.
The 60 kg category saw Yusuf Ashish of Jordan Police Club battle fiercely against Eric Arsamian from Rocky Road Boxing Club Dubai. Ashish’s endurance and tactical brilliance shone through as he claimed gold in a closely contested fight.
Ali Khaled Bakhlaf of JD Bahrain Club delivered a masterful performance in the 63.5 kg division, overcoming Anatoli Gregoryan.
The 71 kg division witnessed a war between Omar Abdulaziz of Badi Classic Abu Dhabi and Majed Wael Haj Issa of Mike Tyson Club, Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz’s superior footwork and counterpunching secured him the top podium spot.
Ali Amro Ahmed of Al Ain Club displayed his exceptional technique in the 75 kg category, outmatching Sina Sodi of Sticky Center, Iran, to claim gold. His dominance in the ring was a testament to his preparation and skill.
Khaled Al Kurdi of Rocky Road Boxing club Dubai proved his mettle in the 80 kg class, overpowering Majd Moataz Al Safadi of Mike Tyson Club, Saudi Arabia, to win gold, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier competitor.
In the +92 kg category, Yousri Rizq of Al Ain Club showcased raw power and technical prowess, securing victory over Sam Esteki of Sticky Center, Iran. Rizq’s performance left an undeniable mark on the championship.
The tournament was not just about the men’s competitions; the women fighters also delivered performances worthy of the highest accolades. In the 54 kg category, Lin Tarek Al Sheikh of Mike Tyson Club, Saudi Arabia, showcased exceptional power and precision, overpowering her opponent, Jawaher Garab of Fujairah Martial Arts Club. Their fight was one of courage and determination, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
Perhaps the most gripping moment of the night came in the +92 kg men’s division, where Orkhan Agayev of Rocky Road Center squared off against Bassel Al Mowjda from Al Ain Club. With each round, the atmosphere grew electric, the clash of titans sending shockwaves through the stadium. In the end, Agayev's sheer dominance secured him the gold, his name now etched among the greats of the competition.