Following an unforgettable week of competition, cultural performances and inspiring moments on and off the field of play, teams gathered last night for the official Goodbye Party — the final tradition of the IFMA European Championships 2025.
Athletes, coaches, officials and delegations from 38 federations came together to celebrate, reflect and honour the outstanding achievements of this year’s event. The atmosphere was vibrant and emotional, marking the perfect close to a historic championship in Athens.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Special Awards, recognising excellence, leadership, fair play and rising talent across all divisions.
Special Awards of the 2025 European Championships
Athlete Awards
Best Female Athlete
Moa Carlsson – Sweden
Best Male Athlete
Yauheniy Fedcryndyk – Belarus Kickboxing & Muaythai Federation (BKMTF)
Rising Star Female Athlete
Gabriele Bartoskaite – Lithuania
Rising Star Male Athlete
Kais Diduch – France
Best Youth Female Athlete
Lina Rmich – Portugal
Best Youth Male Athlete
Arcadie Bozari – Moldova
Rising Star Youth Female Athlete
Zulema Vázquez Espín – Spain
Rising Star Youth Male Athlete
Dmytro Rudenok – Ukraine
Most Outstanding Performance
Iveta Srncova – Slovakia
Breakthrough Athlete of the Championship
Benjamin Sesay – Denmark
Team & Federation Awards
Best Team
Russian Muaythai Federation (RMF)
Best Female Team
Türkiye
Best Male Team
Belarus Kickboxing & Muaythai Federation (BKMTF)
Best Team Spirit
Greece – honoured for their electric home atmosphere and unified delegation presence
Leadership & Contribution Awards
Best Coach
Pavel Gracykowski – Poland
Best ITO
Farid Garayev – Azerbaijan
Excellence in Leadership Award
Riika Ahonen – President, Finland Muaythai Federation
Contribution to Muaythai Award
Gunter Plank – Senior ITO, Austria
Fair Play Award
Athena Thones – Germany
Recognised for exceptional integrity, respect and sportsmanship throughout the championships.
A deeply meaningful moment of the evening was the special recognition presented to Zahra Rezaye of the Equipe Muaythai des Réfugiés (EMR).
A former IFMA athlete who once competed under the Afghan flag, Zahra made a powerful return to the European stage after a six-year hiatus. Now representing Team EMR, her comeback embodies resilience, courage and the unbreakable spirit of Muaythai.
Her journey drew heartfelt applause from every delegation — a reminder that the IFMA family stands for opportunity, unity and hope.
EMF Flag Handover Ceremony
A symbolic highlight of the evening was the official European Muaythai Federation Flag Handover.
The Panhellenic Muaythai Federation, as hosts of the 2025 edition, proudly passed the EMF flag to France, the next host of the IFMA European Championships. The moment was met with enthusiastic applause, marking the formal transition of responsibility and excitement toward the 2026 European Championships.
This traditional handover reflects the unity and continuity of the European Muaythai family and sets the stage for another remarkable championship on French soil.
A heartfelt acknowledgment was extended to the Panhellenic Muaythai Federation and the Local Organising Committee, led by President Ioannis Papadopoulos, for delivering what many described as the largest, smoothest and most memorable European Championships to date.
Their dedication, professionalism and tireless work ensured an impeccable event experience for athletes, coaches, officials and supporters across all 38 participating federations.
The Goodbye Party was not only a celebration — it was a reminder of the values that unite the European Muaythai family. Opponents became friends, teams exchanged flags and gifts, coaches toasted to shared success, and officials were honoured for their commitment.
As music filled the hall and athletes danced with their teammates and rivals alike, the night captured the essence of IFMA: respect, honour, solidarity and cultural unity.
The 2025 European Championships close on a high note — and the legacy of this year’s event will inspire the road ahead toward future continental and world championships.
