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Host Angola dominates Day 1 of IMMAF Africa Championships with 39-medal haul

MMA

Julian Kiewietz|Published

Angola’s Gold medalist Stelvia Muhanha (Angola) alongside compatriot and silver medalist Teresa De Jesus following their Youth Women (Youth B) success. | IMMAF

Image: Supplied

The IMMAF Africa Championships is officially underway, as day one of the continental competition wrapped up late last night in Luanda.

The host nation surged ahead of the competition at the Pavilhão Multiusos do Kilamba (also known as the Kilamba Arena), delivering an overwhelming medal haul and asserting a commanding presence across nearly every division. Backed by one of the largest team entries in the tournament, Angola closed out day one with an impressive 39 medals, including 21 gold, 17 silver, and 1 bronze.

Their depth ensured representation in almost every bracket — often resulting in all-Angolan finals. This dominance not only boosted the medal tally but also highlighted the country’s rapidly developing MMA talent pipeline. From the youngest Youth D competitors to the more experienced Youth B fighters, Angolan athletes displayed technical sharpness, composure, and a clear understanding of the amateur MMA scoring system.

Team Cameroon and Team Mauritius also demonstrated the growth of their MMA ecosystems, with amateur MMA clearly on the rise in both nations. Each country secured podium finishes on the opening day.

Mauritius’ Ubaidullah Cooraban claimed gold in the Youth Men’s Youth B division, while his compatriot Matteo Gourdin defeated Angola’s Rafael Ngombe in the Youth Men’s Youth C division to secure another gold for the island nation. In the Women’s Youth B division, Cameroon’s Adjanie Benjamin Zanga overcame strong Angolan competition to stand atop the podium, claiming gold and proudly flying her nation’s flag.

Today will see the rolling out of the Youth A competition. Stay tuned to the IMMAF and MzansiMMA Instagram accounts for more updates on the IMMAF Africa Championships.


Division-by-Division Results on Day 1

Youth Men – Youth B

  • 40 kg: Gold – Joaquim Malamba (Angola), Silver – Joaquim Rito (Angola)

  • 44 kg: Gold – Ildrio Antonio (Angola), Silver – Arlindo Tonito (Angola)

  • 48 kg: Gold – Rosario Gomes (Angola), Silver – Nataniel Israel (Angola)

  • 52 kg: Gold – Hilario Fragoso Tolentino (Angola), Silver – Leonel da Cunha (Angola)

  • 57 kg: Gold – Domingos Manuel (Angola), Silver – Leonel Muako (Angola)

  • 67 kg: Gold – Ubaidullah Cooraban (Mauritius)

Youth Men – Youth C

  • 34 kg: Gold – Elvino Da Cunha (Angola), Silver – Tryson Mubanga (Zambia)

  • 40 kg: Gold – Amadeu Da Graca (Angola)

  • 44 kg: Gold – Matteo Gourdin (Mauritius), Silver – Rafael Ngombe (Angola)

  • 48 kg: Gold – Neves Joaquim Gabriel Alfredo (Angola)

  • 57 kg: Gold – Isaias Matondo Miguel Kumbo (Angola)

Youth Men – Youth D

  • 30 kg: Gold – Leontino Da Graca (Angola), Silver – Cristiano Da Silva (Angola)

  • 34 kg: Gold – Caetano Cardoso (Angola), Silver – Raimundo Jamba (Angola)

  • 37 kg: Gold – Gelvani Ginga (Angola), Silver – Fabio Sebastiao Augusto (Angola)

  • 40 kg: Gold – Graciano Vuvu Vasco (Angola), Silver – Valter Francisco (Angola)

  • 52 kg: Gold – Armando Panzo (Angola)

Youth Women – Youth B

  • 44 kg: Gold – Gabriela Cerqueira (Angola), Silver – Aurora Quimbundo (Angola)

  • 48 kg: Gold – Stelvia Muhanha (Angola), Silver – Teresa De Jesus (Angola)

  • 52 kg: Gold – Adjanie Benjamin Zanga (Cameroon), Silver – Monica Cardoso (Angola), Bronze – Ana Sebastiao (Angola)

  • 57 kg: Gold – Gisela Luna (Angola), Silver – Angelica da Costa (Angola)

  • 62 kg: Gold – Fernanda Sebastiao (Angola), Silver – Mercia Khendira Martins Barros (Angola)

  • 67 kg: Gold – Albertina Ntyamba (Angola), Silver – Higildia Leite (Angola)

Youth Women – Youth C

  • 40 kg: Gold – Serafina Fernando (Angola), Silver – Cristina Trovador (Angola)

  • 57 kg: Gold – Alexandrina Neto (Angola)