The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation, led by Mohamed Sabih, has announced details surrounding the disappearance of athlete Mohamed Abdel Fattah, 15, in Italy. Abdel Fattah, who won a silver medal at the World Youth and Junior Championships in Jesolo, failed to return to Egypt with his team after the tournament. The championships took place from September 18 to 27, 2026, and featured participants from over 60 countries.
According to the federation, Abdel Fattah's teammates last saw him during the final match of Basma El-Arabi, where Egyptian players were supporting her from the stands. Abdel Fattah informed his teammates that he was going to the restroom, but never returned. The federation reported the incident to the Egyptian authorities and the Egyptian embassy in Italy, and a formal record was made.
The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation has taken measures to address the situation, including reporting the incident to the relevant authorities and involving the legal department to pursue the necessary procedures against those responsible. The federation also assured that Abdel Fattah's passport is safe with the team leader, along with the passports of other team members.
The incident does not overshadow the achievements of the Egyptian team, which won a total of eight medals at the championships, including six silver and two bronze medals. Mohamed Ibrahim Abou Zeid, Youssef Adel, Mohamed Abdel Fattah, Ehsan Abu El-Majd, Mariam Abdel Monem, and Basma El-Arabi won silver medals, while Rahma Mohamed and Gennie Mostafa won bronze medals.
The Egyptian team was led by Mohamed Sabih, the founder and president of the Egyptian Kickboxing Federation. The technical staff consisted of Mohamed Farouk, Islam Abu Quresh, and Mariam Yahia. The team comprised 14 players, including six females and eight males, who competed in various events during the championships.
The championships provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and compete against top international opponents. The Egyptian team's performance demonstrates the country's growing presence in the sport, with athletes competing at a high level and achieving notable results.
The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation will continue to work with the relevant authorities to resolve the situation and ensure Abdel Fattah's safe return. The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and support for young athletes participating in international competitions.
Key points
- Egyptian kickboxer Mohamed Abdel Fattah goes missing in Italy after winning silver medal at World Youth and Junior Championships
- Egyptian Kickboxing Federation reports incident to authorities and takes measures to address situation
- Egyptian team wins eight medals at championships, including six silver and two bronze medals
