Iraqi kickboxer Mustafa Tekriti reaches Muay Thai world final in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Iraqi national team member Mustafa Tekriti has advanced to the final of the World Muay Thai Championship, where fighters from 75 countries are competing, the Iraqi Olympic Committee said. The committee said Tekriti first defeated a Brazilian champion by knockout before beating his Ukrainian opponent in the semifinal. He is scheduled to face a Russian fighter on Thursday for the world title. Iraq Muay Thai Federation president Mustafa Jabbar Alk said Tekriti had shown a high technical level throughout the tournament and overcame several notable opponents to reach the final. Alk added that defeating fighters who have stood out at world championships reflects the development of Muay Thai in Iraq. The federation president said athletes and the technical team were working intensively to achieve the best results at the international level. If Tekriti wins the final, he would bring the world championship title to Iraq.