Iraqi women martial artists vie for national team spot at Gilgamesh University

BAGHDAD — More than 130 female fighters from 40 teams battled it out on Friday at Gilgamesh University in the Dora district as part of one of Iraq’s largest women’s martial arts championships. Organized by the Iraqi Kyokushin Federation, the tournament will determine the first- and second-place winners in each category and weight class, who will then represent Iraq at the Arab Championship scheduled to take place in Baghdad in early April.

Ady Al-Jarrah, an international referee, explained, “The Iraqi Kyokushin Federation is organizing the 2025 Women’s Championship, where the first and second-place winners in each category and weight class will be selected to represent the national team in the Arab Championship in Baghdad. The goal of this tournament is to strengthen the national team with new female athletes to compete for titles. More than 130 competitors took part in this event.”

Safia Najm, a fighter from Dora Club and national team member, described the fierce competition. “It was a tough and fierce competition, and my opponent was a strong rival,” she told 964media. “Thank God, I was able to secure first place in the open-weight category.” Najm added that she is eager to achieve new titles at both the Arab and international levels to elevate Iraq’s standing in the sport. “I chose this sport because it’s my passion. It has taught me self-defense and confidence.”

Mouda Salah, representing Asif Academy, also celebrated her success in the under-45 kg category. “I competed in the Iraq Kyokushin Championship in the under-45 kg category and managed to win first place. I will represent the national team in the upcoming Arab Championship,” she said.

The tournament, which featured competitors across various weight classes and categories, served as a platform to discover emerging talent in Iraqi women’s martial arts. The event also included younger athletes, such as 8-year-old Batool Faez from Future Youth Club. “I am the youngest athlete in the championship, and I hope more women take up this sport and join tournaments like this because it’s a great discipline that teaches self-defense,” she said.