The third day of the competition saw many IFMA current champions defending their titles from last year. Many have moved up in their age and weight division showing an ever higher level of Muaythai across three rings. 

The grass root development of Muaythai at many countries is giving its results today with young athletes showing amazing skills as often the youngest athletes make the heads turn by their amazing performance.
Double silver medalist from Russia Sofia Bakhtereva plans to improve her record after she was second in Bangkok and Prague. Today she moved closer to her aim winning the opponent from Iran. It’s Sofia’s last chance to go out with the bang as this is her last youth event.


Sevgi Dogan (TUR 16 -17 Female Youth -51kg) made the local crowd celebrate as she won the first bout for team Turkey today. Sevgi knows how it feels to win in Antalya as she is the gold medailst of the EMF Antalya Cup. This time she can add the World’s gold medal to her collection as she confidently won the opponent from Thailand.


Gianny De Leu is building his name in IFMA and today he definitely showed his champions’ ambitions. He was another athlete disappointing the Thai team sending his opponent packing as Thailand lost another representative in Antalya. For Gianny it is truly becoming a strong transitioning to the adult world of Muaythai and IFMA is looking forward to seeing him next year at the World Championships among the Elite athletes.


One of the most exciting bouts of the day was between the World Champion 2018 Ceyda Toprak and Nikola Blakala who won silver in Bangkok but in a 67 kg. This time Nikola went down to the 63.5 kg and it proved to be the right decision as she did not let Ceyde defend her title.


Tierra Brandt (USA) got to action today defending her gold of 2018 youth worlds. She is another athlete saying good bye to the youth divisions and she will want to keep golden memory of her last event as a youth athlete. Martyna Kierchynska (POL) will be on Tierra’s way as she is moving towards the final from the other side of the draw bracket. It will be a match to watch and the most interesting of the Youth World Muaythai Championships 2019 is still ahead.


Day Three has had amazing bouts and the competition gets more intense with so many outstanding athletes continue their way towards the top. For spectators it’s a true luxury to be part of this event and see how Muaythai youth reveal their talents through sport.