The USMF brought one of the largest USA Muaythai teams to the 2019 IFMA Youth World Championships in Turkey. This year’s event was in Antalya, the gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters.

Turkey once again set the stage for what was another great tournament and event. The event concluded with an award night which revealed new names in the youth elite. The personal awards went to Ukraine, Australia, Moldova, Malaysia, Netherlands and many other countries.

Under the guidance of Rami Ibrahim and other coaches of the USMF—including Carlsbad Kickboxing Club’s own Rolando Montano—the USA team brought home three gold medals, four silver medals, and nine bronze medals.

USA’s Neil Zelinsky won Muay Talay Champion. The Muay Talay tournament has really become an integral part of each Youth World Muaythai Championships and medals for the muay thai On Water are treated with the importance of the main competition. IFMA director Charissa Tynan said that compared to last year this event, it was at least two times bigger.

Tierra Brandt was awarded 3rd place for the Best 16-17-year-old Athlete. She leaves the youth events in a status of the two times world champion with flawless record in IFMA events of 7 victories and 0 losses.

Outstanding Female Athlete (over 14) went to USA’s Nicole Fernandez.

The Lebanese female athletes also made an outstanding contribution towards the team result as Maya Kalash and Sirene Hadara became the world champions.

Carlsbad Kickboxing Club’s own Joey Siplyak was there representing the United States and beat Uzbekistans Shakhriyor Askaraliev, however, he lost a close match to Ravan Aghazada of Azerbijuan. Siplyak certainly held his own against an opponent with over 140 recorded wins we expect big things still come.

In the end, Mykyta Goncharenko (UKR – 16 -17 Male Youth -60kg) entered his first and last Youth World Muaythai Championships with a bang as he celebrated winning the gold medal in Antalya. Next year he will turn 18.