Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at the Mubadala Arena after three days of enthusiasm and fierce competition among diverse age groups of athletes.
The championship was organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (JJF) in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Association of Jiu-Jitsu Professionals (AJP). The tournament brought together hundreds of players from several clubs and academies in the UAE across divisions, including kids, infants, juniors, teens, youths, amateurs, professionals, and masters.
The first day of the tournament featured thrilling competitions in the kids, infant, and junior categories. On the second day, the youth, teen and masters divisions took centre stage, while the third and final day witnessed fierce rounds between amateurs and professional fighters.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, a member of the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s board of directors, told Aletihad that the tournament is one of “the strongest tournaments on the season’s agenda”. “The sporting event receives widespread attention and attracts an elite group of players in both the local and international arenas,” he said.
“Tournaments like this, adhering to international regulatory standards, reflect our strategic vision and firm commitment to developing the sport of jiu-jitsu by organising the strongest tournaments in the UAE that provide a unique experience for athletes and fans alike,” Al Batran added.
He drew attention to the high participation of national and international players in the tournament, especially for the masters category, noting that a large number of athletes came from abroad. “The tournament is important because the first-place winners gain 1,000 points to their score in the annual classification, approved by the Abu Dhabi AJP,” he added.
The Future Champions of UAE
The tournament witnessed great participation from Emirati children and youth representing clubs and academies across the UAE. The arena was brimmed with cheers from the young players’ parents and family. Aletihad spoke to 14-year-old Ahmed Saif from Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, who won three gold medals in the youth category.
Expressing his happiness, Saif said: “I thank my family for their support. I achieved this after hard training and determination to reach the finals, and be among the best players across the Emirates.” “Jiu-jitsu is becoming famous in the UAE and in the near future, we will be among the best in the world.
The UAE is paying attention to jiu-jitsu, as you see this tournament is a good example of how we get support by getting the chance to compete with champions from different levels.”
When asked about his ambition, Saif said that he wants to keep training and develop his skills to take part in international championships. “All I want is to raise the UAE flag high in all international tournaments. I am working hard and training every day to reach this goal. I will participate in the first class jiu-jitsu championship and make my country proud,” he added.
Saif pointed out that at Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, coaches are preparing players from a young age to be future jiu-jitsu champions and take part in all local and international tournaments.
‘’The young players, like me, at the club are having all the attention, as the club and the coaches want a strong Emirati generation in jiu-jitsu. The UAE federation is also supporting us and that will help us as young Emiratis to reach finals, win medals, gain extra points, and make us all proud,’’ he said.
International Participation
The tournament brought together young athletes from the UAE and abroad. Some of these athletes reside in the UAE and train in local clubs and academies. In an interview with Aletihad, Younis Al Wardi, the father of five-year-old jiu-jitsu participant Mahdi Al Wardi from Morocco, who resides in the UAE, said that his son started to play jiu-jitsu last year at Al Dhafrah Club.
‘’My son began playing jiu-jitsu from a young age. He started when he was three years old. I used to be a kick-boxer for 10 years, and I wanted my son to play a sport that would be different from kick-boxing, so jiu-jitsu was the answer. I encourage all parents to get their children involved in all kinds of sports, namely jiu-jitsu, as the sport helps in building kids’ personality and gives goals in life to chase after,’’ he added.
Al Wardi pointed out the role of the UAE in supporting jiu-jitsu, noting that tournaments like this help shape the future of young Emiratis and expat kids in this sport.
“The UAE is a pioneer in jiu-jitsu and the country will prepare a new generation of young Emirati jiu-jitsu players who will be champions in the future,” he added. As for Marcelo Mendoza, the father of four-year-old jiu-jitsu player Larisa Mendoza from Brazil, who resides in the UAE, the championship is one of the best sporting events not only in the UAE but also in the world.
“I am so happy that my daughter took part in this tournament, and she won a gold medal. This tournament is one of the best in the world, if you look at the number of athletes taking part, and the divisions too. The UAE has plans to be among the top countries in jiu-jitsu and that will happen very soon. The country has a new generation of good players and coaches,” Mendoza told Aletihad.
Lissa Macedo, the mother of four-year-old jiu-jitsu player Alessar Macedo, who also resides in the UAE, spoke to Aletihad about her daughter’s participation in the tournament. She noted that the tournament offers kids and youth the opportunity to gain experience.
‘’My daughter won a gold medal today and I am so proud of her. This tournament is very important for all jiu-jitsu kids, as it prepares them from now on to know how it feels when competing in a championship and also how to be a good jiu-jitsu player when you face other good players,’’ she added.
