Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship gets under way from Wednesday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.
Running until November 22, the championship, also known as Abu Dhabi World Pro, will welcome over 10,000 athletes from more than 130 countries, making it the largest edition in its history since its inception in 2009.
Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the championship is the most prominent event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar, bringing together the world’s elite athletes across various divisions and age groups. It’s the product of years of progress and excellence in organisation that have cemented Abu Dhabi’s status as the world capital of jiu-jitsu and the home of its most prestigious competitions.
This year’s edition has recorded an 11% increase in athlete participation compared to last year, with more than 730 clubs and academies from around the world taking part. International athletes account for 60% of the total participants, reaffirming the championship’s position as a leading global event in the sport.
Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the organising committee head, said: “We are pleased to welcome guests from around the world to the UAE, a nation known for peace, tolerance and friendship.
“The championship reflects our leadership’s vision to strengthen the UAE’s position on the global sports map and to promote sport as a key part of human development and the future. The event has become a platform that brings together cultures from across the world, showcasing our values of diversity, inclusion and excellence.
“Every year, the championship proves its ability to grow and innovate, thanks to the strong organisation and professionalism that have made it a global model for sports events. The record participation is the result of continuous efforts to grow the sport and develop athletes, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role in promoting jiu-jitsu and its standing locally and globally as the UAE’s national sport.”
The competitions will open with the amateur category. The Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival, featuring competitions for kids, will take place from November 13 to 15, alongside Para Jiu-Jitsu competitions on November 13.
The Under-18 girls national team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, delivered a strong performance at the World Championship in Bangkok on Tuesday. The Emirati girls impressed on Tuesday, adding four more medals to the country’s tally, including one gold, one silver and two bronze.
Aysha Aljneibi won gold in the 63kg category, while Fatema Alghafri took silver in the 40kg division. Hira Aldhaheri earned bronze in the same category, and Fatema Alkathiri added bronze in the 44kg division after a series of tough matches.
Aljneibi said on winning the gold: “Raising the UAE flag on the podium is the proudest moment of my life. My family’s support means a lot to me, and the school jiu-jitsu programme helped me build confidence and improve both on and off the mat.”
