Kashmiri MMA fighter Owais Yaqoob wins international bout in China

Pulwama, Sep 20: Owais Yaqoob, a 26-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from South Kashmir's Pulwama district, registered a win at an international competition in China.

Fighting under the Bahrain-based BRAVE Combat Federation, Owais defeated Ian Paul Lora on Friday.

“Owais always had a passion for sports,” his brother Rouf Yaqoob told Greater Kashmir. “He began with Thangta but switched to MMA in 2017. This win has created a wave of excitement across our entire district.”

Born in Muran, a village surrounded by apple orchards, some 6 km from Pulwama town, 26-year-old Owais has been active in sports since his childhood. His win was celebrated in his village, with his friends taking to social media to post congratulatory messages and clips of the fight.

“This victory shows what Kashmiri fighters are capable of on the international stage,” said Waseem Ahmad, an athlete from Pulwama.

Rouf said the win has strengthened his brother's resolve to push forward. “Every fight is a test. It will embolden him to train harder and prepare for bigger challenges ahead,” he added.

His achievement has sparked interest among youngsters in Pulwama, many of whom now say they want to pursue MMA professionally.