City MMA fighters excel

Fourteen Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters of the Academy of Martial Science participated in the 6th Bangalore Open MMA Championships held in Whitefield, Bengaluru, between Dec. 16 and 19. Nine (4 female and 5 male) out of them have bagged 2 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals respectively. Seen in the picture are (standing from left) Sharun Divakar, P. Yashas, Ashwin Mahendran, R. Srinivas Prasad, Kiran (Coach), Sharif Bapu (President, MMA India), Prasad Gaitonde (Secretary, MMA India), Kru. M.N. Vikram (Secretary, AAMAK and Chairman, MMA India Technical Commission), Kru. N. Kumar (Senior VP, AMMAK), G.R. Sridhar and U.K. Skandan Bangar (Bantam Weight - Bronze); Kneeling from left: Gopala Nayaka (Straw Weight - Bronze), Sridhar Sajji (Bronze), R. Manoj Kumar (Youth Straw Weight - Bronze), B. Akshatha Shanbhogue (Atom Weight - Silver), N. Maithri (Team Manager), G.R. Deeksha Shetty (Straw Weight - Silver) and R. Poojitha (Light Heavy Weight - Gold). R.K. Pooja (Fly Weight - Gold) and S. Nikhil (Fly Weight - Bronze) - not in picture. A total of 213 MMA athletes from 25 States participated in the event that was hosted by Association of Mixed Martial Arts Karnataka (AMMAK) and sanctioned by MMA India. The medallists will be representing State at the National Championships that will be held in Chhattisgarh in February 2022.