BANGKOK (ALETIHAD)
The national jiu-jitsu team delivered an impressive performance at the Grand Prix Thailand Open over the weekend, securing 15 medals, including five gold, three silver, and seven bronze.
The event, held in Bangkok, is considered an ideal preparation for the team ahead of major international events, particularly the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece in November.
The opening day was dedicated to the women’s category, where the UAE athletes showcased a strong performance, continuing their impressive showing from the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship in Abu Dhabi in May.
Standing out among the winners was Balqees Al Hashmi who clinched the gold medal for the UAE in the Under-54 kilogramme division, Aysha Al Shamsi (-45 kg) earned a silver medal for the team, while Asma Al Hosani (-52 kg), Shamma Al Kalbani (-63 kg), and Maitha Shraim (-48 kg) secured bronze medals.
The male athletes who took the mats on the second day were equally good, collectively capturing ten medals.
Khalid Al Blooshi (-62 kg), Mahdi Al Awlaqi (-77kg), Saeed Al Qubaisi (-85 kg) and Omar Al Suwaidi (-56 kg) secured gold on Sunday.
Mayed Al Shehhi (-62 kg) and Rashed Al Shehhi (-56 kg) won silver, while Hazza Farhan (+94 kg), Saeed Al Ketbi (-56 kg), Sultan Al Hosani (-77 kg), and Mohamed Al Suwaidi (-69 kg) took bronze.
Al Hashmi, the gold medallist in the women’s -54 kg, said, “I’m proud to have reached the podium. Our hard work and intense preparations paid off. We’ll keep training with the same determination, especially for the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece to maintain our title for the fifth year in a row. We will continue to train harder to perform well and sustain the nation’s successful journey on international platforms.”
Men’s -62kg winner Al Blooshi said, “We are thrilled with our performance today and proud to win a good number of medals despite the tough competition. We look forward to using this experience to continue our physical and mental development.”