Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ambar Tesoudali, a 15-year-old kickboxer from Antwerp, has been given a unique opportunity to fight in a prestigious professional event, where she was selected as one of the main attractions in the poster of the “War for the Crown” competition by World Fighting League on 3 October at the Lotto Arena. The Belgian-Moroccan girl will fight against another talented Belgian youngster, Sara Mesba.
Who is Ambar Tesoudali and why is this fight significant?
Ambar Tesoudali, 15, has become one of the most discussed youth kickboxers from Belgium in the recent years, being able to combine competing abroad with her studies and her training plan. Born and brought up in Antwerp, she has competed in the youth divisions for both Morocco and Belgium, earning several championships and medals during the period of her teenage years. The fact that Tesoudali was chosen for the card of the WFL is surprising since the event is organized with the help of known fighters such as Jamal Ben Saddik and Harut Grigorian, but there is only a youth fighter presented on its poster.
The importance here is not only her age but the location and billing itself. The Lotto Arena is Antwerp’s best indoor sports arena, which often sees high-profile combat sports matches taking place there, and WFL is billing this event as an opportunity for their “Final 16” Heavyweight Tournament along with some other big bouts. Billing the fight with a 15-year-old means that there is a conscious decision made to put some focus on homegrown talent and the future of Belgian kickboxing especially young Moroccans female fighters.
What do Tesoudali and her team say about the opportunity?
Tesoudali’s own reaction to the call‑up underlines how unexpected the opportunity felt. When approached by WFL, she reportedly asked,
“Why would they choose me? There are so many good young fighters,”
reflecting both humility and awareness of the depth of talent in Belgian youth kickboxing. She added that competing at the Lotto Arena carries special meaning because
“it is in her home city,”
turning a national showcase into a hometown moment for her family, coaches and peers.
Her camp, however, has been careful to frame the narrative around responsibility rather than hype. In statements to media, her team stressed that the fight
“should not be seen as a gift,”
but as a chance she must
“earn inside the ring”
against a respected opponent in Sara Mesba.Â
How has Tesoudali performed on the international stage so far?
Despite her age, Tesoudali’s résumé is that of a mature international contender. In August 2026, when she was only 14 years old, Tesoudali competed in the ISKA China Open & World Elite Invitational in Sanya, China, and became the winner of her category, beating China’s Shi Yan Yan by decision after three rounds, with the final score being 90–82 in favor of the Belgian athlete. Even after this success, Tesoudali noted that this fight “was not her best fight,” which speaks of her high demands and desire to develop constantly. Before her Chinese appearance, Tesoudali had competed against tough European opponents too.
In June 2026, during the Colosseum Tournament #50 in Suceava, Romania, she beat the local fighter Alexia Lupu in an impressive youth fight watched by numerous representatives of European kickboxing press. As early as a year before, in September 2025, Tesoudali earned herself the IFP Youth Title in 46 kg division at Limburghal in Genk by defeating the Turkish athlete Erva Meryem Eren. These victories as a young teen clearly show why the WFL sees in her a fascinating character for a major Antwerp event.
