It is with profound sorrow that the International Federation of Muaythai Associations mourns the heartbreaking loss of 13-year-old Ammar Mutaz Hamayel , a proud member of the Palestinian national Muaythai team, whose young life was taken by the senseless cruelty of war.
Ammar was more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother, a teammate, a dreamer. With a heart full of courage and a future full of promise, he trained with discipline, competed with pride, and carried the hopes of his nation with every step. His passion for Muaythai was matched only by the warmth and kindness he shared with all who knew him.
To lose him to violence, to the brutality of war, is a tragedy beyond words. No child should ever fall to conflict. No child should pay the price for decisions made by others.
We will forever cherish the memories we shared with Ammar — especially during our Youth Peace Camp. His energy, his laughter, his calls for peace, and his dream of a better world are etched in our hearts.
Our deepest condolences go to his parents, his family, his loved ones, the Palestinian Muaythai community, his teammates, and all whose lives he touched. Today, we grieve as one united family.
As the world marked Olympic Day — a day celebrating peace, respect, and inclusion — Ammar’s life was stolen. In his honour, all IFMA flags will be flown at half-mast, and our social media profiles will go dark. On 25 June, during the final of the Asian Championships, the competition will pause to pay tribute to his memory.
We will continue to fight — not only in the ring — but for what Ammar stood for: the right of every child to grow up in safety, with dignity and hope.
Ammar, you will always be an inspiration. Your legacy lives on in our hearts, our actions, and in our continued commitment to peace.
Rest in peace, young warrior.