The president of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation has credited the UAE with spearheading the sport’s growth on a global scale, citing the country’s advanced facilities and sustained support for athletes at every level. According to the Emirates News Agency, Panagiotis Theodoropoulos praised the UAE’s comprehensive approach that has positioned Abu Dhabi as the headquarters of the JJIF since a unanimous board decision in 2016. This recognition comes as the federation reports more than 130 member countries spanning all continents, reflecting the impact of UAE-led initiatives in expanding access and standardising competition.
Jiu-jitsu gained national sport status in the UAE in 2012 after initial introduction to school curricula in 2008, a move the Khaleej Times reported has led to the discipline being taught at more than 140 schools with dedicated sessions twice weekly. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has overseen grassroots programs including summer camps that have contributed to an estimated 125,000 active practitioners nationwide. Such foundations have produced a pipeline of talent evident in the national team’s consistent international success.
UAE competitors have secured six consecutive JJIF World Championship titles entering the 2026 edition scheduled for Abu Dhabi, according to federation tallies that also show 55 medals captured at the Asian championships in Almaty earlier this year. Prominent athletes including Faisal Al Ketbi have collected multiple golds in various weight divisions, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse. The federation’s development strategy encompasses anti-doping education, coaching certification and referee training that have extended to participants from 31 countries through Olympic Council of Asia programs hosted in the UAE.
Major tournaments organised in Abu Dhabi have drawn record entries, with the 2025 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship attracting over 10,000 athletes from 137 countries and marking an 11 percent increase in participation, event organisers reported. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World League has become a flagship series that offers substantial prize pools exceeding six million dirhams annually while attracting competitors from more than 140 nations. These events have elevated organisational standards and fostered international collaboration within the sport.
The JJIF has implemented technology-driven tools including artificial intelligence systems capable of operating in 60 languages to broaden awareness and accessibility, a step the federation’s recent congress attributed partly to UAE-inspired innovation. Additional agreements such as the cooperation pact with the Jiu-Jitsu European Union exemplify the intercontinental partnerships that have grown under this framework. Participation in Asian championships has risen by 30 percent year on year with a 70 percent increase in regional events, according to the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union.
Recent achievements include the UAE delegation of 114 athletes competing across all age groups at the 2026 world championship, a roster assembled through the federation’s long-term athlete pathway that balances youth and senior development. The country has also integrated the sport into police, military and educational structures, creating an environment that supports both competitive excellence and widespread community involvement. Theodoropoulos noted that these combined efforts have helped establish jiu-jitsu as a vehicle for discipline, respect and global connectivity.
