Abu Dhabi: The UAE National Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded today with great success at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. The event, organised by the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) in cooperation with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, ran for three days and witnessed record participation from 1,455 male and female athletes representing 77 countries and over 86 specialised academies.
According to Emirates News Agency, the final day featured high-level performances in the amateur and professional divisions, with the closing bouts showcasing the remarkable progress and global spread of the sport. The UAE claimed the top spot in the overall team rankings with 299,700 points, followed by Brazil in second place with 98,000 points, and Colombia in third with 68,100 points.
The matches were attended by Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and Tariq Omar Al Bahri, General Manager of AJP, who awarded the winners. Since its inception, the championship has embodied the institutional efforts of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and AJP to organize world-class tournaments, offering a professional competitive environment that hones athletes' skills and contributes to their global ranking under the AJP system.
Commenting on the event, Tariq Omar Al Bahri, General Manager of AJP, stated that the UAE National Championship is a cornerstone on their calendar, playing a vital role in building a strong technical base and enhancing competitiveness both locally and internationally. He thanked the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, under the leadership of Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, for their continued support. The tournament delivered high standards in organization, participation, and fan engagement, highlighting Abu Dhabi's status as a global hub for jiu-jitsu. The focus now shifts to the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour in Istanbul next week.
Several gold medalists expressed their pride in winning at such a prestigious event and praised the AJP for organizing competitions of this caliber. Sultan Jabr, who won gold in the professional brown belt 69kg division, emphasized the significance of the event due to its high technical level and its location in Abu Dhabi, the world capital of jiu-jitsu. Ubaid Al Ketbi, gold medalist in the professional 62kg division, noted the intensity and technical lessons of the matches, which are crucial for advancing towards professionalism.
Over its three days, the championship featured standout participation across various divisions including youth, kids, masters, amateurs, and professionals of both genders. This comprehensive representation solidified the event's standing as a key stop on the competitive jiu-jitsu calendar.
The jiu-jitsu community now sets its sights on the launch of the 2024-2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour, which kicks off in Istanbul in the first week of July, with wide international participation expected.