ASIATODAY.ID, TANGERANG – President of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) Alexander Engelhardt, appreciated the holding of the 2024 GAMMA World MMA Championships in Indonesia.
He was also very inspired by the development of mixed martial arts in Indonesia.
“Incredible. I can only say ‘wow’. I am speechless,” said Alexander in his speech at the opening of the 2024 GAMMA World MMA Championships at Dewa United MMA Arena, Tangerang Regency, Banten, Tuesday, December 10 2024 evening.
“And this only took 6 months of preparation. MMA is a big community in Indonesia and this is a very good future for MMA fans in Indonesia,” he added.
According to him, the regeneration of young athletes is very important, including the regeneration of mixed martial arts athletes in Indonesia because regeneration is the future.
“This is extraordinary, almost impossible because this is a high standard, but this is not just about this event but the enthusiasm to start from an early age because they are the future,” he explained.
“If you look at the structure of MMA in Indonesia, it is extraordinary, it is like world level,” said Alexander to the Executive Board of the Indonesian Mixed Fighting Association (PB Pertacami).
He believes that MMA and Pencak Silat can develop together in Indonesia. He believes that Indonesia has great potential to develop MMA and produce great athletes.
“More than that, MMA is also about the value of martial arts. The long history of Pencak Silat is very important for Indonesia. So, this can develop together and it will be something very beautiful that will produce extraordinary athletes,” he said.
The holding of two U-18 and senior MMA classes at the 2024 GAMMA World MMA Championships is an important combination for juniors to follow the development of their seniors to become outstanding MMA athletes in the future.
“The combination of these two classes (senior and U-18) is important because that way the juniors can see their seniors fighting and that will make them feel and then believe,” he said.
“So, starting with juniors and we start in Indonesia first from U-14 to U-17 so that they become better senior athletes,” concluded Alexander.
World Class
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Dito Ariotedjo, emphasized that Indonesia’s commitment has been proven in holding world-class events, including holding world-class Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which is being held for the first time in Indonesia.
“This is an annual event with participants from all over the world, and this shows that Indonesia’s participation and commitment to advancing mixed martial arts sports has been proven,” said Dito when opening the 2024 GAMMA World MMA Championships.
Minister Dito also admitted that he was proud of the mixed martial arts event held in Indonesia, even though it was the first time in Southeast Asia to hold U-18 and senior classes.
“We are very proud of this event because it is attended by almost 70 countries in the world and more than 600 athletes. And this is from U-18 to senior classes,” he said.
“Hopefully in the future, if there is MMA competing at the Asian Games and Olympics, we will be ready,” hoped Dito.
According to him, the MMA industry in Indonesia is already big and advanced compared to the event calendar. He also believes that Indonesian MMA athletes in the future will be able to achieve at world level.
“What is certain is that MMA in Indonesia is a unique sport because the industry is further advanced than its multi-event calendar events. This uniqueness is what Indonesia is preparing for and I am sure that Indonesian athletes can decorate the world,” concluded Dito.
General Chairman of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Mixed Fighting Association (PB Pertacami) Tommy Paulus Hermawan, admitted that he was proud of the struggle of Indonesian athletes at the 2024 GAMMA World MMA Championships. He is confident that Indonesian athletes will give the best for their nation and country. (AT Network)
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