Rising Wrestling Talents Set to Compete on International Stage at Abu Dhabi’s RAF NEXT GEN.
Dubai: Abu Dhabi is preparing to stage its first international youth wrestling tournament organised by Real American Freestyle (RAF) next month, welcoming hundreds of emerging athletes from around the world.
The competition, RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi, is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
The tournament will make its international debut on November 14, with qualifying rounds scheduled at NYU Abu Dhabi. The championship finals will take place on November 15 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, offering young finalists the opportunity to compete on the same mats used by some of wrestling’s leading stars.
The youth championship will coincide with RAF Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled for November 14 at Etihad Arena and will feature a headline showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington.
Four Age Categories and Opportunities for Young Wrestlers
RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi will feature competitions across four age divisions: under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17.
Girls will also have dedicated divisions in the under-13 and under-15 categories.
Registration is currently open across all weight classes, although participation is limited in each division.
The tournament is designed to provide aspiring wrestlers with valuable competitive experience within RAF’s established sporting framework.
Participants will have opportunities to earn ranking points, develop their skills against international opponents and potentially secure qualification for future RAF championship events.
RAF Aims to Develop the Next Generation of Wrestling Talent
Chad Bronstein, RAF’s chief executive and co-founder, emphasised that the organisation’s ambitions extend beyond professional wrestling competitions.
He explained that RAF was established with the broader objective of supporting the development of wrestling at every level, including youth participation.
According to Bronstein, expanding NEXT GEN internationally represents an important milestone in that mission.
He said bringing young competitors from different countries to Abu Dhabi and allowing them to perform on the same stage as established wrestling stars would help create stronger development opportunities for emerging athletes.
Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s Position in Combat Sports
Fakhry Alsarraj, acting executive director of the Events, Retail and Culinary Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, said the championship would contribute to wrestling’s long-term growth while further establishing Abu Dhabi as a regional destination for combat sports.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, secretary-general of the UAE Wrestling Federation, also highlighted the tournament’s potential to create more structured development pathways for young wrestlers across the UAE.
The launch of RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi forms part of a five-year partnership between Real American Freestyle, DCT Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Through this collaboration, the organisations aim to expand competitive opportunities, encourage youth participation and support the continued growth of wrestling in the region.
