Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Young athletes from the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club extended their academy's dominance at the end of the fifth round in the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi division).
In its third edition, the tournament saw competitions for the Under-12, U14 and U16 divisions being held on the final of the three-day event on Sunday at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The event brought together athletes from top clubs and academies across the UAE, with Baniyas finishing first in the overall standings, followed by Palm Sports – Team 777 in second place and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.
Before the start of the competition featuring more than 3,000 athletes, Al Ain were in second behind Baniyas and ahead of Baniyas Self-Defence Sports Club. However, Palm Sports produced a stellar team effort to force the podium shuffle.
The final day featured closely contested matches, with participants showing good technical ability and discipline. Families once again turned out in large numbers to support the athletes.
The matches were attended by a host of dignitaries, including Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abdulmunem Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation; Younis Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; board members of the federation and others.
Sarah and Mansour Al Baloushi train with the Palms Sports academy, and their mother Sumaya Faqeer said at the Mubadala Arena venue: "Our family always makes an effort to attend competitions to support and encourage our children.
"Jiu-jitsu has helped them develop discipline, respect for time and the ability to stay calm under pressure. These qualities have had a positive impact on their daily lives. The championship gives children the chance to compete, build confidence and learn from every experience, whether they win or lose."
Mariam Mohammed of Baniyas Club, who won the gold medal in the U14 57kg division, said: "I learned something from every match and took another step forward in improving my performance. I look forward to continuing my training and achieving good results in future championships as well."
As guest of honour, Al Khoori said the event highlighted the importance of investing in young athletes as the foundation for the future of sport in the UAE.
"Regular competitions help build a strong base of athletes, support clubs in developing their programmes and contribute to the federation's efforts to prepare future national team players.
"What makes this championship stand out is the combination of high organisational standards, strong participation and community support. Allowing young athletes to compete in a professional environment from an early age helps them gain valuable experience, build confidence and strengthen their connection with their clubs and country."
