Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 – GI concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, following three days of high-level competition that brought together more than 1,400 athletes representing over 80 countries.
The final day featured competitions for the Youth and Teen divisions, alongside Professional categories for purple, brown and black belts. The matches were marked by a high level of technical excellence and competitiveness across all weight classes, attracting strong attendance from spectators, academy officials and representatives of participating sports clubs.
The United Arab Emirates secured first place in the overall country standings with 351,140 points, ahead of Brazil in second place with 112,300 points, while Russia finished third with 57,000 points.
In the academy rankings, Commando Group claimed first place with 86,950 points, followed by M.O.D UAE in second with 47,250 points, while Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club secured third place with 39,000 points.
The championship was attended by Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro, alongside a number of officials from participating academies and sports clubs.
Tareq Al Bahri said the championship had successfully achieved its technical and organisational objectives, reflecting the continued growth of jiu-jitsu at both the local and international levels.
“The final day was exceptional by every measure, as it was dedicated to the professional divisions, whose athletes delivered outstanding performances and highly competitive matches that reflected their level of preparation and readiness," he said.
"We also witnessed strong participation from black belt competitors, who represent the elite level of the sport worldwide, adding further intensity and quality to the competition."
He added: “The championship attracted participants from more than 80 countries, reaffirming its status as one of the leading international jiu-jitsu events and highlighting Abu Dhabi’s position as the global capital of jiu-jitsu and a preferred destination for athletes from around the world.”
Shamma Al Kalbani, who claimed the gold medal in the Women’s Professional Brown/Black Belt 62kg division, expressed her delight at securing the title on home soil at the conclusion of a championship that featured a high standard of competition.
“Winning a gold medal at an event of this calibre is a significant milestone in my sporting career, especially given the strength of the field and the level of international participation. The matches were challenging, but I remained focused on delivering my best performance and making the most of every opportunity on the mat,” she said.
She added: “UAE jiu-jitsu continues to reap the rewards of the tremendous support it receives from the country’s leadership and sporting institutions. As athletes, we are committed to representing the UAE in the best possible way and continuing to achieve success on the international stage.”
With the conclusion of the AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 – GI, attention now turns to Türkiye, which will host the opening round of the 2026-2027 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Tour next week in Istanbul, marking the start of a new season as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its global leadership in the sport.
