Youth muaythai action from Arab club championships. Photo: Jordan Olympic Committee

The Jordan Olympic Committee congratulated the nine countries which sent muaythai teams to the 2018 Arab muaythai club championships in Jordan this week. The successful event welcomed teams of juniors, women and men and was under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Iman Bint Al Hussein.

The Jordan Olympic Committee welcomed the event, saying all the participants did great and they were happy to see such a high level of competition in the ring. The five-day event was organised by the Black Belt Centre in cooperation with Jordan Muay Thai Federation and Arab Muay Thai Federation.

Altogether 29 clubs took part with large contingents from Jordan itself and Lebanon, who faced stiff competition from teams including Libya, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Algeria. The Olympic Committee especially praised the high standard of competition among the young athletes.

Sami Kiblawi, head of the Arab Muaythai Federation welcomed the Thai Ambassador to Jordan to the opening of the event, and said he was proud to see so many athletes competing at this high level from different countries.

Young muaythai athletes in action in Jordan. Photo: Jordan Olympic Committee

The young muaythai team from Palestine who attended the IFMA Youth World Championships last year for the first time won three silver and four bronze medals, a great achievement for them.

The event took place in Al Hussein Youth City (Sport City) with enthusiastic crowds attending each day’s bouts.

Team Lebanon at the Arab club championships 2018

Arab countries have already chosen national teams for the IFMA Youth World Championships in August, and many of these young athletes gained valuable extra experience this week. The Iraq muaythai federation for example held a separate youth event recently.

The Lebanese Muaythai Federation will also a send a team to the muaythai World University Championships starting in Thailand on Saturday.

Thailand's Ambassador to Jordan with Sami Kiblawi, head of the Arab Muaythai Federation.
Thailand’s Ambassador to Jordan with Sami Kiblawi, head of the Arab Muaythai Federation.

Follow the Arab Muaythai Federation on Facebook for updates on all Arab muaythai teams.