Premya Wankoun wins African MMA gold in Abidjan

Beninese athlete Premya Wankoun has won the gold medal in the under-73 kg category at the GAMMA 2026 African MMA Championships held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Despite having practiced mixed martial arts for only two years, Wankoun has established a rapid international presence. She previously earned two medals, including a silver, at the 2025 MMA World Championships in Brazil. Her athletic background includes early training in taekwondo starting at age 10.

Wankoun has described martial arts as a vital tool for personal balance and emotional reconstruction following the early loss of her mother. She advocates for a view of combat sports that integrates femininity, balancing her training with yoga and dance.