Eleven African teams competed in mixed martial arts (MMA) in the African Games 2023 for the first time. The sport featured in the programme for the first time from Sunday 10 to Monday 12 March.
Amateur MMA rules competition, under the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), joined six other demonstration sports among 30 total disciplines. Eight of these will be holding qualifiers for this summer’s Paris 2024 Games.
The 13th edition of the four-year, multi-sport event runs from 8 to 23 March, organised by the African Union (AU), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA).
Officially recognised in Africa by the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC), GAMMA has 24 recognised and active member federations on the continent, including host federation the Ghanaian Mixed Martial Arts Association.
GAMMA’s vision is to see mixed martial arts formally recognised as a sport internationally by the Olympic movement and to one day enter The Olympic Games. Acceptance into the African Games provides a milestone for the sport as it advances MMA’s quest for recognition. As for Africa, the achievement is an accolade to Africa’s MMA’s athletes as the sport continues to grow across the continent.
Following the closure of registration, medical checks and weigh ins yesterday, the Tournament Draw takes place today (9 March) ahead of commencement of the matches on Sunday.
National federation representatives from Sierra Leone and Tunisia are also in attendance.
GAMMA President Alex Engelhardt said:
“We stand at a great moment for MMA as it is welcomed into the Olympic programme at the African Games in a first for the sport. Not only is this a tribute to the development of MMA in Africa and the efforts of our members, but a fantastic platform for African MMA athletes and one which will no doubt spur further growth. The learning curve has been steep for our young federations as to engaging with the processes of their sport ministries, National Olympic Committees and the Local Organising Committee to complete entry to an event of this scale, while as a demonstration sport, MMA is not eligible for financial support in most countries. Despite this, of GAMMA’s twenty-four nations, eleven countries will be fielding a team this time and putting a stake in the ground. We look forward to the commencement of competition on Sunday in the 2023 edition of the African Games and many more to come, in which MMA’s footprint is only set to grow.”
LIST OF ATHLETES BY NATIONAL TEAM
BENIN
Affognon Jhon-Kennedy – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Dagnon Jean-Eudes Mahouton Renaud – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs Elite M
Houssou Michael Mahugnon – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Sewanou Jacques Jouton – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Song Holonou – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
BURKINA FASO
Gaoussou Sanou -120,2 Kg | – 265 Lbs M
Israel Phinee Mano – 93,0 Kg | – 205 Lbs M
Issa Boussim – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Omar Tinta – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Sibiri Ben Ali Toe – 93,0 Kg | – 205 Lbs M
COTE D`IVOIRE
Aka Miezan Prince Mensan – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Fanny Dago -120,2 Kg | – 265 Lbs M
Germain Obou – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
Koffi Jean Francis N`Goran – 77,1 Kg | – 170 Lbs M
Marcel Yao – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Tidiane Coulibaly – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
EGYPT
AMR ALI – 70,3 kg | – 155 lbs M
Dalia Abodeff – 47,6 Kg | – 105 Lbs F
MOHAMED ASHAAT – 93,0 kg | – 205 lbs M
MOHAMED ELSAYED – 77,1 kg | – 170 lbs M
GHANA
Abubakari Winnie – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs Elite F
Akorli Jackson Dodzi – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Ankrah Leticia Amanua – 47,6 Kg | – 105 Lbs F
Aryee Joseph – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Awudu Yussif Khalil – 77,1 Kg | – 170 Lbs M
Boakye Elizabeth – 52,2 Kg | – 115 Lbs F
Darko Salom – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Entusah Mubarak Muhammed – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
Etrue Joseph – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Kotoka Felix – 56,7 Kg | – 125 Lbs M
Moladzah Augustine Kwabla – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Niane Oumar -120,2 Kg | – 265 Lbs M
Nortey William Adom – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
Okaijah Perpetual – 56,7 Kg | – 125 Lbs F
LIBYA
Felfel Muammar – 65,8 kg | – 145 lbs M
MAURITIUS
Idoo Bhojul Mohammad Ajmal – 93,0 Kg | – 205 Lbs M
Ramzan Abdul Aziim – 77,1 Kg | – 170 Lbs M
Rassool Bibi Oumee Hanee Meherin – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs F
Sookhoo Bhirsing – 56,7 Kg | – 125 Lbs M
NIGERIA
Albert Idowu Lucky – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Aziba Martins – 93,0 Kg | – 205 Lbs M
Freddy Destiny – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
Eweh Emmanuel Benard – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
Eze Daniel Emeke – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Gabriel Karo – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Idowu Busayo Khadijat – 52,2 Kg | – 115 Lbs F
Muzan Richard -120,2 Kg | – 265 Lbs M
Obanla Joy Ebanda – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs F
Obeya John – 77,1 Kg | – 170 Lbs M
Onyeali Blessing + 72,6 Kg | +160 Lbs F
Peter Winifred Agara – 47,6 Kg | – 105 Lbs F
Sodiq Olanike Rasheeda – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs F
SUDAN
Mojahed Mohamedel Hassan Merghani Ahmed – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Mossab Elfadil Abdelgadir Mohamedali – 70,3 Kg | – 155 Lbs M
TOGO
Awassiou Welike – 61,2 Kg | – 135 Lbs M
Ekoue Douhadji – 77,1 Kg | – 170 Lbs M
Sylvain Kokou – 65,8 Kg | – 145 Lbs M
UGANDA
Mwesige Denis – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Tugume Titus – 83,9 Kg | – 185 Lbs M
Live tournament information will be available at: 13th African Games | Accra 2023 (sportdata.org)
