 In our previous news posts there was good news about Mansoor Lootah’s victory in IFMA Asian Open Championship 2011. Here you can find out more information about the Championship and Mansoor’s fights.
IFMA Asian Open Championship 2011 was held on Kish Island, Iran, with more than 20 countries participating in it:
- UAE
- Afganistan
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- England
- India
- Ireland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Uzbekistan
There were different categories represented by more than 90 amateur fighters – from Light Fly Weight (45-48 kg) to Super Heavy Weight (91+ kg).
Mansoor Lootah (UAE) is a Cruiser Weight fighter. Winning Anshvman Behura (India) in the semi-final competition, Mansoor Lootah became the finalist of IFMA Asian Open Championship. The next day, 19 April 2011, Mansoor Lootah won Yousef Soltani (Iran) by KO 1R, and became the first UAE national getting the title of Asian Champion in the international muaythai competition.
As was said after by IFMA officials, Mansoor was “the surprise of the Championship”; and all his supporters were sure – he would win, as he’s a real defender of the national pride.
Vladimir Burdun, President of Dubai Martial Arts Academy and Vice Chairman of IFMA International Development Commission:
“As promised, Dubai Martial Arts Academy has been putting lots of effort in re-building and developing the UAE National Muaythai Team, and Mansour’s victory indicates that we are on the right track. We wanted to show to the world that there are local fighters in the UAE who are skilled enough to win and to become real Champions, and that muaythai becomes more popular not only among expats, but also – and that is more important – among locals (UAE nationals). And so we did. I want to thank Mansour for his brilliant performance, and I’m sure his country is proud of him. However, I want to warn him as well – I’m sure that the next time it will be much harder for him to win. And that’s obvious because before Asian Championship no one knew about Mansour, and those who knew him before (when he was participating in IFMA World Championship 2007) might not remember him, but now he’s a new star risen to the sky of global muaythai. Therefore, opponents will be preparing hard for the fight with Mansour, and they will be proud to compete with him as well. I wish the best of luck to Mansour, and hope that he’s now a role model for other local fighters willing to become the pride of their own country. And from the side of Dubai Martial Arts Academy I ensure once again – we will help new talented fighters to become renowned champions”.
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