The National MMA Team for children and youth recorded an impressive performance at the World Championship in the United Arab Emirates, winning a complete set of awards – gold, silver, and bronze medals.

In the category up to 27 kilograms, Martin Ivanov demonstrated exceptional technique and willpower, achieving four consecutive victories over athletes from Tajikistan, UAE, Armenia, and Ukraine. His first place confirmed him as a world champion in this age group.

Hristo Dimitrakov in the category up to 48 kilograms won a silver medal after convincing victories over representatives from Ukraine and Uzbekistan. In the final match, he lost to the Australian fighter Robert Sanderson, but showed exceptional potential.

Both medalists are students of the sports club "Vrkolak" from the town of Berkovitsa, personally trained by coach Plamen Iliev, which emphasizes the strength of the local MMA school.

In the category up to 57 kilograms, Apostol Apostolov from the Stara Zagora club "Atila" won a bronze medal. He impressed with two victories over athletes from Brazil and Uzbekistan, before losing to Albert Bustani from Lebanon in a contested semifinal bout.

A total of ten Bulgarian fighters qualified among the top eight in their categories. The National Team was extremely close to winning additional awards, as Danail Milchev, Martin Petkov, Martin Stoilov, and Rostislav Rumenov were eliminated by later world champions.