(MENAFN- International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) By Caoilte de Barra
2022 was a breakout year for the Angolan MMA Federation (FAMMA), as they debuted on the IMMAF platform after becoming a member in 2021.
The 2022 Africa Championships marked the federation's first appearance on the IMMAF platform. A team consisting of fifteen athletes travelled to the competition and finished second on the medal table, collecting thirteen medals in total.
On the youth side of things, FAMMA made an appearance at the 2022 Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi and has been active in developing the sport nationally, hosting coaching courses led by Andrew Moshanov to prepare the next wave of coaches.
The upcoming World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, will be the first time Angola partakes in the competition. Several athletes who competed at the 2022 Africa Championships are set to feature, including elisio zua and stanislau kakesse wezy .
Zua was one of the standout athletes at the competition, winning two bouts in as many days to take gold. He will be competing in the stacked middleweight division where he could face the likes of 2021 World gold medalist Fergus Jenkins and Pan American gold medalist Anthony Orozco.
Wezy made an impact in his maiden IMMAF appearance, defeating South African prospect Zhane Tannous in the final to avenge the loss of his teammate from the previous day.
Two athletes will feature in the Super Heavyweight division, and with only six entries in the division, the odds are in their favour in securing a spot on the podium.
Following such an active and positive year for the federation, FAMMA will look to build upon the momentum and make an impact at the upcoming World Championships.
The provisional team that will represent Angola at the 2022 World Championships is as follows:
Junior Entries
Nkunga Mbilanzambi Vacanda – Flyweight 56.7 kg (125 lbs)
Kalody Jorge – Featherweight 65.8 kg (145 lbs)
Tulunda Daniel – Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs)
Senior Entries
Georges Fortunatu – Flyweight 56.7 kg (125 lbs)
Maurio Silva – Flyweight 56.7 kg (125 lbs)
Marculino Fernando Diogo – Bantamweight 61.2 kg (135 lbs)
Pedro Calembela – Featherweight 65.8 kg (145 lbs)
Luan Chaka – Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs)
Joveth Santana – Welterweight 77.1 kg (170 lbs)
Elisio Zua – Middleweight 83.9 kg (185 lbs)
Mario Stefan – Light Heavyweight 93 kg (205 lbs)
Stanislau Kakesse Wezy – Light Heavyweight 93 kg (205 lbs)
Garcia Pinto Kinkela – Heavyweight 120.2 kg (265 lbs)
Martinho Macuva – Heavyweight 120.2 kg (265 lbs)
Helder Kennedy Daniel Manuel – Super Heavyweight (+120.2kg)
Jose Txambunga – Super Heavyweight (+120.2kg)
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