Senior finals concluded action at the 30th anniversary IFMA World Championships in Bangkok ©IFMA

Senior finals concluded competition at the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Championships at Central World in Bangkok, Thailand.

The hosts claimed the first two golds of the final day with Aphichaya Lekmat winning 29-28 against Cheryl Gwa Wei Ying of Singapore in the women’s under-48 kilograms category.

In the men’s under-51kg, Samchai Promnin was also victorious for Thailand, edging past Russian Ovsep Aslanyan, competing as an independent neutral athlete 29-28.

The men’s under-57kg final went to Ruach Hashem Bichayanu Gordon of Israel, who defeated Sayed Rohullah Mosawi of Afghanistan 30-27.

In the women’s under-57kg, Russian Maria Klimova, competing as an independent neutral athlete, overcame Nefise Atalay of Turkey 30-27.

Turkey were victorious in the men’s under-63.5kg category with Sercan Koc beating Abil Galiyev of Kazakhstan 30-26.

There was more success for the hosts in the men’s under-67kg category, with Narin Wonglakhon edging past Maxim Branis of Israel 29-28.

Independent neutral athletes won the next two categories, with Valeria Albul claiming the women’s under-67kg title, as she beat Halime Eke of Turkey 30-27, and fellow Russian Konstantin Shakhtarin defeating Thotsaphon Saophanao of Thailand by the same scoreline in the men’s under-71kg category.


The next two men’s finals were close affairs, with Mustafa Aboutaka of Sweden beating Russian Magomed Magomedov, competing as an independent neutral athlete 29-28 in the under-75kg.

In the under-81kg, Mustafa Al Tekreeti of Iraq edged past Artiom Livadari of Moldova by the same scoreline.

The women’s under-54kg category saw Megan Washam of the United States beat Laura Burgos of Mexico 30-27.

Islay Erika Bomogao of the Philippines edged past Camilla Danielsson of Sweden 29-28 in the women’s under-45kg, while in the men’s under-54kg Shamil Yermagambe of Kazakhstan was a narrow 29-28 victor against Tak Chuen Suen of Hong Kong.

The women’s under-60kg title went to Tierra Brandt of the United States who beat Ewin Ates of Sweden 30-27.

Independent neutral athletes won the next two titles, with Asadula Imangazaliev defeating Phongsathon Rueangnoi of Thailand 29-28 in the men’s under-60kg, and fellow Russian Ekaterina Bezhan overcoming Croatia’s Helena Jurisic 30-27 in the women’s under-71kg category.

Irene Forsell Nilsson of Sweden overcame Mensure Karadayi of Turkey 30-27 to win the women’s under-75kg category.

Vietnam finished top of the overall medals table at the IFMA World Championships ©IFMA
Vietnam finished top of the overall medals table at the IFMA World Championships ©IFMA

The women’s over +75kg category saw Eleonora Filippou of Cyprus run out a 30-27 victor against Irina Larionova, competing as an independent neutral athlete.

Independent neutral athletes won the last two men’s categories, with Gadzhi Medzhidov beating Jacky Jeanne of France in the under-91kg, while fellow Russian Dmitrii Vasenev beat Turkey’s Umut Eryilmaz 29-27 in the over +91kg category.

Finally, three titles were decided in wai kru disciplines, with Thanawan Thongduang of Thailand edging past Islay Erika Bomogao of the Philippines 10-9 in the female event.

The senior male 25-32 age group crown went to Yen Nguyen Van of Vietnam, who beat Ali Mohammedawi of Iraq 9-8, while the senior male 18-24 age group title went to Ka Chun Mok of Hong Kong who defeated Johnden Aldana of the Philippines 9-8.

Vietnam finished top of the overall medal standings, with 15, featuring five golds, three silvers and seven bronzes, followed by Malaysia in second and Thailand in third, both with a total of eight medals.

The Championships took place in conjunction with the IFMA's 30th anniversary celebration.