[Photo] Uriel Cruz, representing Hernandez Kickboxing in Murrieta and Team USA, submits an opponent by arm bar during a match at the 2022 IMMAF World Tournament in Abu Dhabi. Valley News/Courtesy photo
MURRIETA – A Pankration team of youth mixed martial arts competitors from Hernandez Kickboxing in Murrieta recently traveled to Abu Dhabi, where they competed at the 2022 IMMAF World Tournament. Pankration is an ancient martial art which mixes wrestling and boxing. The sport can be traced as far back as the second millennium BCE in the territory of ancient Greece.
The team of five youths, who travel across the country competing in tournaments, compete mostly in the United States Fight League (ages 12-17), which is one step under CAMO Amateur. The California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization, is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping foster the growth of the sport of amateur Mixed Martial Arts and to oversee the health, safety and welfare of MMA athletes.
The team competed in July of this year at Nationals, which was held at Dan Henderson’s Fitness Center in Temecula. Youth from all over the country came to fight in hopes to win and qualify to represent Team USA at the 2022 IMMAF World Tournament in Abu Dhabi in August. There were 42 countries that went to the World tournament this year, which included six kids from Hernandez Kickboxing that competed at Nationals, and each of them earned a medal. The team consisted of Lariah Gill, age 14, first place; Uriel Cruz, 14, second place; Zadkiel Cruz, 12, third place; Isabella Campos, 13, third place; Ethan Barrett, 15, third place; Elijah Gutierrez, 9, third place; Head Coach Richard Hernandez; and Assistant Coach Julio Cruz.
The young kickboxers, their coaches and Hernandez Kickboxing owner Stephanie Hernandez have been traveling the local City Council circuits, being recognized by their local communities. Recently they were recognized by the City of Menifee and Mayor Bill Zimmerman, as well as the City of Perris and Mayor Michael Vargas.
“We were fortunate enough to be able to send Lariah, Uriel, Zadkiel and Isabella to Worlds in Abu Dhabi in August,” Hernandez said. “Lariah Gill fought three matches and is now our reigning 2X IMMAF World Champion. In 2021 Lariah qualified at Nationals in Florida and qualified for the World Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. In that tournament she won her first world title.”
This was the first World tournament for Isabella Campos, and she did not disappoint. Campos went in and fought three matches and won each of them, bringing home her first IMMAF World title. Uriel Cruz went to Worlds last year bringing home a bronze medal.
“This was his second year competing at Worlds and unfortunately did not make it on the podium,” Hernandez said. “However, he did have one of the most exciting fights for us to watch where he won by arm bar submission.”
This was also the first World tournament for Zadkiel Cruz, who had many exciting fights, some even waiting hours in between due to the way the tournament was run.
“He brought home the Bronze third place medal, and we are so proud,” Hernandez said.
The next upcoming fight for these youth fighters is the Halloween MMA Fright Night Saturday, Oct 29, in Pomona. To find out more about Hernandez Kickboxing, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HernandezKickboxingFitness or email hernandezkickboxingfitness@yahoo.com.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
