The finals of the 2024 IMMAF Asian Championships served fans with the finest action in amateur MMA this Thursday, August 22, in Lahore, Pakistan. And the women involved stole the men’s thunder putting on amazing shows and being the highlight of the final day of competitions.
Starting in the Atomweight division with Bano Butt, from Team Pakistan, making the crowd erupt with a huge victory over Kazakhstan’s Gulnaz Abdrakhmanova, to take home the first gold of the day for the home team. Matilda Bachurina shone on the Women’s Strawweight division with a victory over a very tough Nour Al Fliti, from Lebanon. In one of the most anticipated matchups of the day, Eman Khan gave Team Pakistan its second gold with a huge win over Dinara Ayapova, from Kazakhstan.
Finally, one of the most dominant Asian champions and a stoppage machine, Adel Makhametova (pictured as champion on the podium) earned another incredible victory, this time over Bushra Ahmad, in a rematch of their semifinal duel last year. Until now, Ahmad had been the only Asian opponent that Adel couldn’t finish. That all changed today with a stellar performance from one of Kazakhstan’s finest rising stars.
In the Men’s division, Tajikistan dominated, winning an incredible seven golds, including standout performer Ibrohim Rahimzoda, who beat Kadyrbek Shinbayev. The Kazakh silver medalist can be proud of his week, having been the only athlete to participate in four bouts this week, taking back to Kazakhstan a 3-1 record in the tournament and heaps of experience who is sure to serve him well in the future.
Bahraini rising star Ali Marhoon fell short as he was caught in a submission by Kyrgyzstan’s own Islam Esengeldiev, but Team Bahrain bounced back to earn three golds, with Gimbat Magomedov (Sr Welterweight), Gadzhi Gadzhiev (Sr Light Heavyweight) and Sultan Gapizov (Sr Heavyweight).
