Luanda – At least seven Angola national mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters have qualified for the semi-finals of the amateur World Championship taking place in Humo Arena in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
Angola’s Nkunga Vakanda faces Baraka Tullo Asadullah (Tajikistan) in the 56 kg category, while Milfa Kuenda Nicolau faces Ali Musa Kulov (Kazakhstan) in the 88 kg category.
Maria Liberal will fight against Kiara Fegen (South Africa) in the 70.3 kg category, while Linara Costa and Ana Fernanda, both Angolan athletes, will fight in the 79.4 kg category.
Jeorgina Ludmila will compete against Mulder Ashirbekova (Kazakhstan), while Esperança Pereira faces France's Oceane Samson in the 56.7kg category.
In the men's quarter-finals on Thursday, Angola's Nkunga Vakanda, in the 56 kg category, qualified for the semi-finals after defeating Giovanni Rivadeneyra (Mexico) and Milfa Nicolau, in the 88 kg, giving Ali Musa Kulov (Kazakhstan) no chance.
In the other quarter-final, in the women's category, Esperança Pereira defeated Norway's Marie Paulsen in the 56.7kg category.
Due to the score, Angola benefited from the direct qualification to the semi-finals by Maria Liberal (70.3 kg), Jeorgina Ludmila, Linara Costa and Ana Fernanda (79.4 kg).
The regulations of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) stipulate that athletes who have placed well in previous competitions have an advanced position in the next championship.
This is the case of Angolans Maria Kitoko (74kg) and Clarence Francisco (79kg), who have already qualified for the final of the junior category and are waiting for their opponents according to the pairings.
For the Friday’s semi-final, Angolan Nkunga Vakanda will face Baraka Tullo Asadullah (Tajikistan) in the 56 kg category, while Milfa Kuenda Nicolau will fight Ali Musa Kulov (Kazakhstan) in the 88kg.
Maria Liberal clashes with Kiara Fegen (South Africa) in the 70.3 kg category, while Linara Costa and Ana Fernanda, both Angolan athletes, compete in the 79.4 kg category.
Jeorgina Ludmila will compete against Mulder Ashirbekova (Kazakhstan) and Esperança Pereira will face France's Oceane Samson in the 56.7kg category.
Angola is taking part in this world event for the third time, following 2022 and 2023, the latter in Albania. BSV/MC/DAN/AMP
