The championship has brought more than 1,500 athletes from around the world to Mubadala Arena in the UAE capital since it began on Aug. 1. Competitions cover under-16, under-18, under-21 and senior divisions across a range of weight categories. The Abu Dhabi Media Office reported that the event runs through Aug. 9 and serves as a platform for developing talent at all levels.
Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, opened the competition by praising high-level patronage. “We express our deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his generous patronage of the championship and his continued support for the development of jiu-jitsu, reflecting the UAE leadership’s continued commitment to sport and athletes, and provides tremendous motivation for competitors to perform at their very best,” Alhashmi said according to the Media Office. He added that the scale of participation underscores Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a reliable host for international tournaments.
The UAE national team has claimed 13 medals including multiple golds during the early days of competition, Big News Network reported. Saif Al Baloushi took gold in the under-48kg division while Saif Al Ameri prevailed in the under-62kg class and Zayed Al Hosani won the under-85kg title. Bronze medals went to athletes including Shamma Al Mansoori in the under-40kg category, Haneen Al Khouri in under-57kg, Taif Al Hammadi in under-63kg and Khaled Al Ghaithi.
Gold medallist Saif Al Ameri credited intensive preparation for the strong showing by UAE competitors. “We spent three weeks in a training camp, working hard to improve our performances and learn from one another,” Al Ameri told local media. Officials from the national squad stated that each match delivers useful data on individual strengths and weaknesses while the range of podium results illustrates the squad’s overall quality.
International participation has added depth to the week-long programme, allowing athletes from nations including Turkey to measure themselves against leading practitioners. The Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, which organises the event in partnership with the UAE body, has positioned the championship as a key step in the sport’s continued global expansion. Organisers expect further competitive bouts and notable performances before competition concludes this weekend.
