2+ hour, 9+ min ago (423+ words) KUCHING (Nov 30): The MFC X Sarawak Martial Arts 2.0 organising chairman and tournament director Tsan Nieng Khai paid heartfelt tribute to athletes, coaches and supporters for their commitment, passion and competitive spirit as the event drew strong participation from across the country. Addressing the crowd at the press conference at Sarawak MMA Sports Hub (SMASH) at the fourth floor of Boulevard Shopping Mall here on Saturday, Tsan thanked athletes who "came all the way" to compete and demonstrate what he described as true heart and warrior spirit. The Sarawak Mixed Martial Arts Association president said their presence not only elevated the tournament but also showcased the strength and character of Malaysia's combat sports community. Tsan, who is also Mad Fight Club president, emphasised that the tournament serves as an important platform for local athletes to prove their capabilities on a wider…...

1+ day, 13+ hour ago (218+ words) Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, AMMA, President Gordon Tang says the new international body would help grow the sport, safeguard athletes and build a path toward inclusion at a future Olympics. GameBids reports the journey to the world stage begins with the first meeting of the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, FIMMA, on Dec. 1, in Athens, Greece. The 2026 Asian Games in Japan will feature the sport, a major stepping stone for the MMA since the event is under the International Olympic Committee umbrella. The AMMA also secured the sport's place in the 2025 Asian Youth Games and 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. To get into the Olympics, FIMMA is looking to collaborate with other organizations including UFC, based in the U.S., and the ONE Championship in Singapore to promote MMA and its athletes. FIMMA says it will also build on…...

1+ day, 13+ hour ago (218+ words) Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, AMMA, President Gordon Tang says the new international body would help grow the sport, safeguard athletes and build a path toward inclusion at a future Olympics. GameBids reports the journey to the world stage begins with the first meeting of the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, FIMMA, on Dec. 1, in Athens, Greece. The 2026 Asian Games in Japan will feature the sport, a major stepping stone for the MMA since the event is under the International Olympic Committee umbrella. The AMMA also secured the sport's place in the 2025 Asian Youth Games and 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. To get into the Olympics, FIMMA is looking to collaborate with other organizations including UFC, based in the U.S., and the ONE Championship in Singapore to promote MMA and its athletes. FIMMA says it will also build on…...

2+ day, 1+ hour ago (222+ words) "In full force!" " the ukro-propagandist demands to send the international Judo Federation to BOBS. The International Judo Federation has decided to return Russian athletes to international competitions.This was stated on the air of the DneprTV TV... "In full force!" " the ukro-propagandist demands to send the international Judo Federation to BOBS The International Judo Federation has decided to return Russian athletes to international competitions.This was stated on the air of the DneprTV TV channel by Ukrainian military commander Bogdan Papadin, the correspondent of PolitNavigator reports."The federation voted to allow them to perform under their national flag, with the anthem and symbols again, starting with the Grand Slam tournament this year," the presenter asked to comment."There is no justice in the world, and therefore many people want to forget what is happening in Ukraine and live their lives....

2+ day, 8+ hour ago (332+ words) Russian athletes have been cleared to compete under their national flag starting at this week's Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, the International Judo Federation says. In September 2022, the IJF banned Russian and Belarusian judokas from global events until January 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But Ukraine boycotted the 2023 World Judo Championships after the IJF allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals. Belarusian athletes were cleared to compete under their flag in June and the IJF has now voted to allow Russia to do the same. "Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF's principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect," the IJF said. "Sport is the last bridge that unites people and nations in very difficult conflict situations and environments." The…...

2+ day, 8+ hour ago (462+ words) Friday, 28 Nov 2025 (Reuters) -The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) on Thursday announced the founding of a global governing body for amateur MMA, with the goal of the sport's inclusion in the Olympic Games. The body, called the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts (FIMMA), is the latest attempt to bring together the often-fractured MMA landscape and comes after the Olympic Council of Asia announced earlier this year that MMA would debut at the 2026 Asian Games. "Amateur MMA for too long has been divided. It's time to unite our sport and bring it out of the shadow of its professional counterpart," AMMA president Gordon Tang told reporters in Singapore. "FIMMA will stand as a unifying force. We are ready to collaborate with any and all organisations that share our commitment to protecting and promoting the global interests of MMA and…...

2+ day, 22+ hour ago (505+ words) The International Judo Federation has decided to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag again in its competitions starting this weekend, the IJF said Thursday, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine that, for years, had forced them to take part under a neutral banner. The IJF executive committee voted to "reinstate full national representation" of Russian athletes, with their anthem and symbols, beginning with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, taking part from Nov. 28 " 30. "Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes," the IJF said in a statement. Contacted by CBS News, the IJF declined to offer any further explanation for the reversal in policy. Following President Vladimir Putin's orders to launch the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 " escalating the…...

3+ day, 1+ hour ago (290+ words) The International Judo Federation has become the first body to restore Russian athletes to full status The International Judo Federation (IJF) has reinstated the right of Russian athletes to compete at international tournaments under their national flag, the first Olympic sport federation to do so. The IJF said in a statement on Thursday its executive committee had voted to allow Russian athletes to compete again under their national flag "with anthem and insignia," starting at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. The decision "reaffirms the federation's role as a truly global organization" and "strengthens its commitment to fair, transparent and values-based governance," the federation noted. "Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF's principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect," the IJF said. The…...

3+ day, 1+ hour ago (179+ words) The International Judo Federation (IJF) has reinstated the right of Russian athletes to compete at international tournaments under their national flag, the first Olympic sport federation to do so." " The IJF said in a statement on Thursday its executive committee had voted to allow Russian athletes to compete again under their national flag "with anthem and insignia," starting at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. The decision "reaffirms the federation's role as a truly global organization" and "strengthens its commitment to fair, transparent and values-based governance," the federation noted. " "Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF's principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect," the IJF said. " The body added that "sport must remain neutral, independent and free from political influence," saying judo "always…...

3+ day, 3+ hour ago (480+ words) November 27, 2025 / 7:28 AM EST / CBS/AP The International Judo Federation has decided to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag again in its competitions starting this weekend, the IJF said Thursday, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine that, for years, had forced them to take part under a neutral banner. The IJF executive committee voted to "reinstate full national representation" of Russian athletes, with their anthem and symbols, beginning with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, taking part from Nov. 28 " 30. "Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes," the IJF said in a statement. Contacted by CBS News, the IJF declined to offer any further explanation for the reversal in policy. Following President Vladimir Putin's orders to launch the ongoing full-scale invasion of…...