Indian MMA

Afshan Fathima Now a Silver Medallist at 2023 IMMAF Asian MMA Championship

By LockerRoom Team July 15, 2025

India’s rising amateur MMA star Afshan Fathima has officially been upgraded to silver medal status at the 2023 IMMAF Asian MMA Championships, following the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s (IMMAF) latest medal reallocation due to anti-doping violations.

The announcement comes as part of IMMAF’s newly introduced Medal Reallocation Policy, revealed on June 26, 2025, which ensures rightful athletes are recognized when their opponents are disqualified for doping. Under this policy, National Federations will receive the upgraded medals along with certificates and a formal letter from the IMMAF President.

Afshan had originally won bronze in the senior women’s strawweight division at the 2023 Asian Championships, but now moves up to silver. This is her second major accolade after winning a World Championship silver medal at the 2024 IMMAF World MMA Championships which was a historic feat for Indian MMA.

With this upgrade, Afshan becomes one of India’s most decorated amateur female fighters, now holding both World and Asian silver medals.

Other Global Medal Upgrades by IMMAF (June 2025)

2015 World Championships

  • Julia Dorny (Germany) – Silver – Women’s Featherweight

2016 World Championships

  • Andy Stanway (Australia) – Silver – Middleweight

  • Sarah Archer (Australia) – Silver – Women’s Strawweight

  • Marcin Kalata (Poland) – Gold – Super-Heavyweight

  • Dwain Meredith (South Africa) – Silver – Super-Heavyweight

2018 World Championships

  • Delano Human (South Africa) – Silver – Super-Heavyweight

2022 European Championships

  • Souhil Arezki (France) – Gold – Junior Men’s Bantamweight

  • Yaman Mjahed (Spain) – Silver – Junior Men’s Bantamweight

  • Elias Erber (Austria) – Gold – Junior Men’s Featherweight

  • Benjamin Hajijan – Silver – Junior Men’s Featherweight

2022 World Championships

  • Mirzobek Umarov (Tajikistan) – Gold – Senior Men’s Bantamweight

  • Movsar Ibragimov (Belgium) – Silver – Senior Men’s Bantamweight

  • Helder Manuel (Angola) – Gold – Senior Super-Heavyweight

  • Talgat Zhiyentayev (Kazakhstan) – Silver – Senior Super-Heavyweight

2023 World Championships

  • Karina Sisenova (Kazakhstan) – Gold – Junior Women’s Flyweight

  • Obdulia Yuliana Garcia Gonzalez (Mexico) – Silver – Junior Women’s Flyweight

2023 Pan America Championships

  • Diego Fernando Rodriguez – Gold – Junior Men’s Strawweight

  • Glen Bonilla (Puerto Rico) – Silver – Junior Men’s Strawweight

2023 Asian Championships

  • Inas Ashirbek (Kazakhstan) – Gold – Senior Women’s Strawweight

  • Afshan Fathima (India) – Silver – Senior Women’s Strawweight

2023 World Championships

  • Genevieve Tuson (South Africa) – Gold – Junior Women’s Strawweight

  • Bachurina (Kazakhstan) – Silver – Junior Women’s Strawweight

2023 World Championships

  • Najib Adams Morllah – Silver – Senior Light-Heavyweight