Caitey and Caleb make their dads proud at IMMAF Africa Champs
SUCCESS Caitey Karagiannidis was full of smiles after earning South Africa's first gold at this year's IMMAF Africa Championships in the Youth A division. Picture: IMMAF
Image: IMMAF
Day two of the IMMAF Africa Championships introduced the Youth A (16 - 17 years old) division to the Pavilhão Multiusos do Kilamba in Angola yesterday.
Team Angola once again shone on the medals table, bagging 14 medallions (6 gold, five silver, and three bronze), followed by Team South Africa, with gold (3) and two silver medals.
Mzansi’s Caitey Karagiannidis broke the “golden” ice for her nation after beating Cameroon’s Adjanie Benjamin Zanga in their Youth Women’s Strawweight (52.2kg) category in Angola’s capital city of Luanda.
It was a memorable moment for Karagiannidis, who not only flew the SA flag high but also her family name. Caitey is the daughter of renowned EFC and IMMAF official Bobby Karagiannidis and sibling to IMMAF Africa 2024 champion JJ Karagiannidis.
South African Fighters Shine with Multiple Gold Medals at African MMA Championships
“I feel amazing. It does not even feel real,” said Karagiannidis.
“This is an incredible feeling and moment for me. I am excited to see my brother win a golden medal, too. Let’s go,” referring to her brother JJ, who will compete today.
Caiden Bouwer was the next South African to win gold after beating his teammate Dante Damico in their Youth Men’s Lightweight (70.3kg) final.
Another well-known brand within African MMA and the EFC, Referee Wiekus Swart, will also be smiling from ear to ear as his son Caleb stood tallest on the podium in his Youth Men’s Welterweight division after beating Angola’s Obedy Sebastiao Antonio in their final.
In the Youth Men’s Featherweight division (65.8kg), Leandro Freitas bagged the silver medal after facing Angola’s Manuel Domingos in their final fight.
The 2024 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s youth athlete of the year, Mayra Lemos, showcased her skill and potential once again on the continental platform when she beat Cameroon’s Yelena Nkoassan in their Youth Women’s Bantamweight (61.2kg) weight class.
Lemos has repeatedly proven that she can achieve great things on the global stage.
It was also heartwarming to see the growth of Cameroonian and Mauritian MMA.
Cameroon continues to become a familiar fixture on the podium with each passing event, and Mauritius secured their first-ever gold medal at this tournament when Aveer Jootun beat Dinis Dinga Bravo in their Youth B Men’s (72kg) final.
IOL Sport