Day 1 of the 2023 IMMAF Pan American Championships got things off to a promising start, as nations competed in the Eighth and Quarter Finals.
Team USA found themselves coming out on top by the end of the day, with six of their athletes leaving victorious. One of the team’s top athletes, Abigail Alvarez, was automatically entered into the semi-finals, after her opponent unfortunately failed to make weight. Alvarez will now face off against Mexico’s Brenda Castro Colorado in the next stage of the competition.
Coming in major rivals to Team USA, Brazil put on some of the most entertaining bouts of the day, as IMMAF ambassador and top-ranked UFC fighter Amanda Ribas looked on. Exciting welterweight Guilherme Porto was a particular highlight, locked up a slick armbar to force the tap from Uruguay’s Manuel Varela.
Host nation Colombia also had some impressive performances, as Alison Vargas caught Maria Cruz Maldonado Cosino with a clinical rear naked choke. However, Vargas will now take on her toughest test to date, in the form of last year’s gold medalist, Giulliany Perea.
About the author
Hari Bhagirath is the former Chief Creative Officer at BRAVE Combat Federation. Currently, he heads Strategic Relations and Financial Communication for a major Fortune 100 organization. He is also the co-founder of Totem Capital, a private wealth management initiative.
