Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) kicked off on Friday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, drawing strong participation from athletes across various age groups.
Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club topped the medal standings, while M.O.D UAE and Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club claimed second and third places, respectively.
The championship is an important event in the UAE’s jiu-jitsu calendar and had a big turnout on the first day. It includes youth, adult, and master categories, with a mix of excitement and experience helping athletes improve by competing alongside some of the sport’s top names.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre; Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Acting Assistant Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Mohammed Humaid Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Suhail Abdulla AlAreefi, Executive Director of Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council; and Ahmed Al Shaikh Al Zaabi, Executive Director, Delivery at Modon.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran said, “The championship is witnessing continuous development with each round, both in terms of technical performance, participation, and audience engagement. These successes reflect the significant support jiu-jitsu enjoys in the UAE and the Federation’s commitment to promoting a culture of sport within the community."
“The large audience turnout and the strong performances of the male and female athletes reinforce the championship’s goals of spreading sporting and humanitarian values and enhancing cultural diversity and community cohesion within a sporting atmosphere defined by positive competition," he added.
Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi said, “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship embodies an inspiring model of integration between sports, health, and community development. It is an important event that contributes to building a conscious, physically and mentally fit generation. The wide participation, professional organisation, and outstanding technical level we are witnessing confirm Abu Dhabi’s position as the capital of the sport and reflect the wise leadership’s commitment to instilling a sporting culture that enhances quality of life and brings together noble values across generations.”
Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi added, “The championship has become a model of excellence in organisation and a clear indicator of the progress achieved by jiu-jitsu at both local and international levels, thanks to the vision and continuous support of our wise leadership. This initiative is helping raise awareness about the sport’s importance, contributing to its spread, and strengthening its foundations among younger generations.”
Abdullah Albaloushi from M.O.D UAE, who won gold in the Men Adults / Master / Brown / -77kg category, said, “Winning this gold medal shows the result of constant training. The Masters category brings together athletes who are ambitious, experienced, and disciplined, which makes the competition a real challenge. This championship is a great chance to prove that passion for the sport isn’t about age; it’s about will and determination.”
The championship continues on Saturday, with matches for the Under-14 and Under-16 categories before concluding Sunday with the Under-12 competitions.
