Iraqi Fighters Compete at 2026 IFMA Youth World Championships in Greece

Young Iraqi fighters debut in Ancient Olympia

Iraq’s youth Muay Thai team began competing on the global stage Sunday as the 2026 IFMA Youth World Championships officially opened in the Ancient Olympia region of Greece.

According to Shafaq News, the Iraqi Muay Thai Federation has set its sights on podium finishes while facing competitors from 109 different nations.

The tournament brings together more than 800 athletes between the ages of 8 and 18. These competitors are fighting for medals across 154 distinct divisions at the Ilis Congress Center in Skafidia, Western Greece. The event is organized by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) and the Panhellenic Muaythai Federation.

The competition structure is diverse, featuring full-contact bouts for fighters in the under-12 to under-18 categories. Beyond standard combat, the program includes semi-contact technical events, the traditional Wai Kru and Mai Muay disciplines, and dedicated competitions for para and special athletes.

The evolution of a global martial art

While the focus remains on the current youth athletes, the scale of the event reflects decades of institutional growth. Data from ifmaywc2026.com shows that the IFMA was founded in 1993 by 15 pioneering national federations with the goal of preserving Muaythai traditions while professionalizing the sport for international competition.

The sport has moved rapidly from regional roots toward mainstream global recognition. Following its debut at the Southeast Asian Games in 1995 and the Asian Games in 1998, the IFMA expanded to all five continents by 2001. The IFMA earned recognition from the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) in 2006.

The most important institutional milestone occurred in 2021. That year, the International Olympic Committee granted full IOC recognition to both Muaythai and the IFMA, a development that validates the sport’s status within the Olympic movement.

The 2026 championships involve 800 athletes from 109 nations

The 2026 championships represent a massive logistical undertaking. The following table outlines the scope of the competition as reported by the organizing bodies:

Category	Details
Total Athletes	Over 800
Participating Nations	109
Total Divisions	154
Age Range	8 to 18 years old

Competition at the Ilis Congress Center is scheduled to run through November 14. The tournament will conclude with a medal presentation and a Youth Awards Gala on November 15, Shafaq News reported.

This is the first time the youth championships have been hosted in the Olympia region. The location serves as a symbolic backdrop, given its status as the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. For the young athletes involved, the stakes extend beyond individual medals; the IFMA has positioned these championships as a premier global platform for the next generation of martial artists.

The organization continues to expand its reach into different sectors of society. In 2026, the IFMA successfully organized its first Military Challenge Competition in Bangkok under the patronage of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The federation also launched the inaugural Schools Muaythai Championship in partnership with the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and Persatuan Muaythai Malaysia (PMM).