Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
The first round of the second edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday, after three days of excitement, suspense, and strong fights at Mubadala Arena. Capping off three days of competition, Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the first place, followed by Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club in second place, and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.
The day saw competitions for athletes under 12 years old and kids aged 4-8, adding a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere to the event. The participants demonstrated promising skills and great determination, presenting their best performances in front of a large gathering of family members and fans.
A multi-champion in jiu-jitsu and an Abu Dhabi resident Flavio Serafin, who had two daughters taking part, spoke of how the tournament has arrived on the scene to provide a platform for even expatriate children in the UAE. His daughters, Eduarda and Valentina, appeared for their club M.O.D Academy.
“I am extremely proud of what my daughters have accomplished, which is the result of extensive training, as they have been practising jiu-jitsu for over three years,” said the senior Serafin.
“I believe this championship is crucial as it provides them with the opportunity to test their skills, especially given the large number of participants. I have lived in Abu Dhabi for 12 years and hold six titles in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, so I fully understand the significance of jiu-jitsu, its physical benefits, and the noble values it instills in athletes.”
The third day of the championship was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan; Abdulmunem Al Hashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) were among those who attended.
Speaking on the occasion, Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, the national federation’s Secretary General, said that the first round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship achieved significant success, both in terms of its exceptional organisation and the wide participation of clubs and academies.
He also highlighted the strong public attendance, which reflects the growing popularity of the sport and the effectiveness of the Federation’s strategies in promoting and developing it.
Al Shamsi praised the outstanding performance and high sportsmanship displayed by the kids and youth on the mat, noting that this signals a generation of promising future talents who form the strategic foundation of the UAE’s endeavours in the sport.
The Championship, he said, “is an exemplary model for sports competitions, made possible by the vision and limitless support of the wise leadership. The championship has hosted 2,000 male and female athletes from various clubs and academies, along with their families and sports fans, making it a unique platform that merges competitive excellence with community engagement.”
