Parents overwhelmed by son's gold medal
Mixed martial arts
Namibia won three gold medals in Luanda.
Jomo Uremena is a proud father after his son Baghdad Muundjua won a gold medal at the 2025 IMMAF Africa Championships in Angola – particularly after the family’s personal sacrifices.
His achievement happened just weeks after Uremena pleaded with the public to support his son with finances which will help the bantamweight fighter prepare for the championship.
Muundjua reigned supreme in a three-round fight against Angola’s Alberto Ylaleka in the junior bantamweight final.
Earlier, he claimed a first-round technical knock-out in the semi-final when the referee stepped in to save his opponent, before winning the final by a unanimous points decision.
Uremena explained: “(After his selection), we had to run to cash loans to make sure that our boy could be part of the team that had traveled to Angola.
“It was not an easy time for us, but we are proud that our hard work and commitment towards his dream paid off.
“We knew that he was destined for greatness and this is just the start of many more victories to come.”
Step up to gold
Muundjua, a dedicated and hardworking athlete, has already achieved significant accolades, including securing second place at the IMMAF African Championship in 2024, a competition hosted for the first time in Namibia.
His father says the journey for the 20-year-old has just begun and he hopes corporate Namibia will be able to support the young sportsman in future events.
Uremena added that Muundjua still requires monthly gym fees, transport costs, exercise equipment, personal workout gear and progressive, health-friendly supplements.
“It is evident that Baghdad has proven his worth as a fighter over and over again and it is important that corporate Namibia steps in to support my son.
“As an unemployed father, we are really trying our best to fulfil his dream, but we can only do as much because of the scarce resources.
“That is why I will continue to appeal with Namibians to support a boy who has a dream of becoming a world champion one day.”
Medallists
The Namibian squad under coach Carlos de Sousa brought home three gold medals and one bronze, marking one of Namibia’s strongest performances at the continental tournament to date.
Stefan Kuhn (Youth A heavyweight division) awarded first place after his Angolan opponent failed to make weight before their scheduled bout.
Waylon Beukes received the lightweight gold medal after no other athletes were entered in his weight class.
Junior lightweight Alex Ilukena lost his semi-final against Zinga Andre Ambrosio from Angola, but earned the bronze medal.
Namibia’s preparations now shift toward the IMMAF World Championship later this year.
• Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Delano Müller, one of Namibia's most promising martial artists from Walvis Bay, is set to represent his country at the European Championship in Germany on 24 May.
The versatile fighter will compete in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Müller won the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)’s Africa championship title last December.
His achievement happened just weeks after Uremena pleaded with the public to support his son with finances which will help the bantamweight fighter prepare for the championship.
Muundjua reigned supreme in a three-round fight against Angola’s Alberto Ylaleka in the junior bantamweight final.
Earlier, he claimed a first-round technical knock-out in the semi-final when the referee stepped in to save his opponent, before winning the final by a unanimous points decision.
Uremena explained: “(After his selection), we had to run to cash loans to make sure that our boy could be part of the team that had traveled to Angola.
“It was not an easy time for us, but we are proud that our hard work and commitment towards his dream paid off.
“We knew that he was destined for greatness and this is just the start of many more victories to come.”
Step up to gold
Muundjua, a dedicated and hardworking athlete, has already achieved significant accolades, including securing second place at the IMMAF African Championship in 2024, a competition hosted for the first time in Namibia.
His father says the journey for the 20-year-old has just begun and he hopes corporate Namibia will be able to support the young sportsman in future events.
Uremena added that Muundjua still requires monthly gym fees, transport costs, exercise equipment, personal workout gear and progressive, health-friendly supplements.
“It is evident that Baghdad has proven his worth as a fighter over and over again and it is important that corporate Namibia steps in to support my son.
“As an unemployed father, we are really trying our best to fulfil his dream, but we can only do as much because of the scarce resources.
“That is why I will continue to appeal with Namibians to support a boy who has a dream of becoming a world champion one day.”
Medallists
The Namibian squad under coach Carlos de Sousa brought home three gold medals and one bronze, marking one of Namibia’s strongest performances at the continental tournament to date.
Stefan Kuhn (Youth A heavyweight division) awarded first place after his Angolan opponent failed to make weight before their scheduled bout.
Waylon Beukes received the lightweight gold medal after no other athletes were entered in his weight class.
Junior lightweight Alex Ilukena lost his semi-final against Zinga Andre Ambrosio from Angola, but earned the bronze medal.
Namibia’s preparations now shift toward the IMMAF World Championship later this year.
• Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Delano Müller, one of Namibia's most promising martial artists from Walvis Bay, is set to represent his country at the European Championship in Germany on 24 May.
The versatile fighter will compete in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Müller won the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)’s Africa championship title last December.
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