Africa-Press – Angola. Physical and psychological aspects dominated, this Tuesday, the work of the National Team, aiming for the African Mixed Martial Arts Championship (MMA), which starts on Thursday, at the Kilamba Multipurpose Pavilion, in Luanda.
Under the guidance of coach Mário Rodrigues “Kiducho”, the preparation involved three hours of intense physical activity and one psychological session.
Mostly athletes from the country’s capital, the pre-selection began work at the beginning of August, with around 90 athletes.
In the amateur continental event, Angola will be represented by 39 fighters, of which 20 are seniors (19 men and one from the women’s sector).
Completing the squad are 19 junior fighters, of which 15 are male and 4 are female.
Pascoal Mbonzo, who progresses in Portugal, in the featherweight category (65.7kgs), is the only one called up who “fights” abroad.
In addition to Angola (runner-up), ten more countries will participate in the competition, namely South Africa, title holder, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Côte d’ Ivore and Cameroon.
Delegations began arriving on Monday. South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius are already in the country, and the remaining delegations are expected to arrive within 24 hours.
Among the 39 called up, the following stand out:
Senior men:
Lightweight – Pedro Calembele (Luanda) and Tulunda Daniel (Luanda) 70.3kgs
Welterweight – Luan Chaka (Luanda) and Joveth Santana (Huíla) 77.1 kgs
Middleweight – Elísio André (Luanda) and Grácia Kinkela (Luanda) 83.9 kgs
Light Heavyweight – Mário Stefan (Luanda) and Stanley Wezzy (Luanda) 92.9 kgs
Heavyweight – José Txambunga (Luanda) and Anderson Correia (Luanda) 120.2 kgs
Super Heavyweight – Helder Manuel (Luanda) +120 kgs
Senior female:
Straw Weight – Lassaleth António (Luanda) 56.7 kgs, Clarensse Francosco (Luanda) 70.3 kgs, Ntoto Castro (Luanda) 47.7 kgs, Jovane Bonguila (Luanda) 61.2 kgs and Maria Kitioco (Huíla) 70, 3kgs.
Junior Men:
Straw Weight – Wilson Manuel (Uíge) and Nilvanio Novais (Luanda) 52.1 kgs.
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