K. Jahangir
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Manesha Ali produced a stunning performance at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola, defeating the host nation’s two-time African champion to win the gold medal and raise the national flag on the international stage.
The Angolan champion entered the contest as the favourite, carrying significantly greater international experience and the advantage of competing on home soil. Manesha overturned those odds with a commanding performance, securing victory in the second round with a standing guillotine.
Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Manesha has trained at BRAVE Gym Lahore for less than a year, where her training and mentorship has transformed one of the best fighters in the world . She is sponsored and supported by BRAVE Gym and Activate and has developed under the mentorship of Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation President Omar Ahmed, who has worked closely with her as both a coach and training partner.
The IMMAF World Cup featured 15 top-ranked teams, bringing together some of the strongest amateur MMA talent from across the world.
Her gold medal represents another major step forward for Pakistan’s MMA programme and women’s MMA in particular.
The campaign now moves to the Pakistan Open, followed by the ultimate target, the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia, beginning on 1 November, where Manesha will look to compete for a world title.
Speaking after the victory, Pakistan MMA Federation President Omar Ahmed said the result made the challenges of running the sport worthwhile.
“Running a sports federation in Pakistan is extremely tough. There are policy challenges, administrative hurdles and obstacles at almost every stage. But when you see one of our kids standing on top of an international podium, the Pakistan flag going up and the national anthem playing, everything becomes worth it. There is no better feeling.”
Manesha Ali credited her rapid rise to the training environment and mentorship she has received.
“I believe completely in my training and in the mentorship of Omar Ahmed. In less than a year I have developed enormously as a fighter, but this is only one step. My eyes are now firmly set on the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia. The goal is to become world champion in IMMAF and be the first Pakistani fighter in UFC
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