MMA: Congolese Relma Wilfried Obiakourou crowned IMMAF world champion in the over 97kg category in Angola

Congo secured three medals at the IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships held in Angola, including a senior world title in the over 97kg category for Relma Wilfried Obiakourou, reported Les Dépêches de Brazzaville on October 3, 2026.

Obiakourou triumphed in the final against Angola's Helder Manuel, in front of the host country's home crowd. Joining him on the Congolese medal tally were Dimi Oba, who took silver in the 79kg category, and Durel Tchicaya, who earned a bronze medal.

Three podium finishes for five competitors

The delegation's performance is impressive. Congo had entered only five fighters, and three of them reached a world podium. In the overall national rankings, Brazzaville climbed to third place, ahead of countries with much larger federations such as Pakistan, India, Ghana, Zambia, Mongolia, Portugal, and Uruguay, according to the same media outlet.

Angola, competing on home soil, dominated the competition with 28 medals, including 8 gold, 14 silver, and 6 bronze. South Africa completes the continental top three with two titles. In other words, the top three nations at this World Championship are African.

A sport gaining structure on the continent

Angola, for its part, confirms its influence in combat sports: the host country not only organized this World Championship but also dominated it significantly. This is the kind of trajectory that changes the image of a continent often relegated to the role of talent provider for foreign professional circuits.

Angola, for its part, confirms a deep investment in combat sports: after its medal hauls in jiu-jitsu and among juniors, Luanda is establishing itself as the African hub for the discipline, capable of both hosting world championships and winning them. This is the kind of trajectory that changes the image of a continent often relegated to the role of talent provider for foreign professional circuits.

For the Congolese fighters, the challenge now is continuity: regular competitions, funding, and training structures capable of transforming these three medals into a sustainable pipeline, rather than an isolated achievement.