UAE stars to hone skills at Al Ittihad Jiu-Jistu Championship ahead of new season

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Jiu-Jitsu athletes in the UAE will get some crucial match practice ahead of the new 2021 domestic season with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) unveiling the Al Ittihad Jiu-Jitsu Championship, an open belt tournament for both male and female fighters in the under-18 and Adults category.

Scheduled for Saturday, at Abu Dhabi’s Jiu-Jitu Arena, Al Ittihad Jiu-Jitsu Championship will serve as a barometer for athletes in the build-up to the action-packed new season, which officially begins on Jan.15, 2021.

The tournament will also signal the return of competitive jiu-jitsu after the resumption of training activities at the beginning of November. The one-day tournament will be organised under stringent health and safety protocols.

“The UAEJJF is committed to organising regular, high-quality competitions with strict adherence to local and federal health and safety guidelines. The Federation has worked tirelessly in recent months to ensure that the jiu-jitsu community can continue its upward development in a safe environment and has endeavoured to keep athletes in touch with the sport during these challenging times,” said Mansour Al Dhaheri, UAEJJF board member.

“The athletes are eager to return to the mat and we believe this tournament will serve up thrilling action and help our fighters fine-tune their preparation,” he added.

“Our goal has always been to promote and nourish the sport of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.” Mubarak Al Menhali, technical director, UAEJJF, believes Al Ittihad Jiu-Jitsu Championship will act as the perfect rehearsal for all parties to fine tune competition aspects ahead of the new season.

“The jiu-jitsu community has been eagerly awaiting a return to the mats and after more than a month of training sessions, this competition will help us all ensure we are fully prepared for the new season. We have major tournaments such as the President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup, the Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu League the Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu League and events such as Al Ittihad Jiu-Jitsu Championship provide opportunities for fighters to ease into a competitive mindset, and for coaches to identify areas of improvement.” he said.

Recently, the Jiu-Jitsu Federation revamped its competition structure for the 2021 season that will give jiu-jitsu athletes access to more competitions, greater opportunity to develop their skills, and the added incentive of a significantly increased prize fund.