15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off in style

The 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held 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, commenced on Wednesday with a remarkable display of talent on show at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.  

The first day of the Championship was met with an impressive turnout, as jiu-jitsu fans, families and friends of participants flocked in droves to set up an electrifying atmosphere inside the arena.

A host of exciting fights marked the start of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which will run from Nov.1 to 10, and showcase the best of Jiu-Jitsu talent from around the world. Participants on the first day included competitors from Kids 1 (4-5 years old), Kids 2 (6-7 years old), Kids 3 (8-9 years old), Infant (10-11 years old, white belts) divisions, as well as para-jiu-jitsu players, representing various clubs and academies globally.    

The competitions were attended by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the UAE ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Ju-Jitsu Union and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship  Organizing Committee; Mohammed Haji El Khouri Director-General of Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation; Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General, Al Ain Zoo; Youssef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations; Mansour Al Ketbi, Executive Director of Digital and Corporate Services at Mubadala Investment Company; Renzo Gracie, popular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athlete and Coach and a number of representatives of events sponsors, and participating clubs and academies.    

Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, highlighted the unprecedented participation of thousands of children in the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival.

Al Dhaheri emphasized that this significant turnout aligns with the Federation’s vision and goals in nurturing the future generation of jiu-jitsu talents.     

Captain Abdullah Yousef Al-Buqaishi, from the General Department of Traffic Coordination in the Ministry of Interior, added: “We are pleased to participate in this tournament, which witnesses a large participation of children and an exceptional amount of enthusiasm and excitement.     

British participant Justin Levene, a purple belt, expressed his happiness at achieving a gold medal in Parajiu-Jitsu Men / K4 Heavyweight division.

He said: “The true victory is being part of this prestigious championship, despite many challenges. Several parents of young athletes taking part in the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival also shared their immense happiness regarding their sons and daughters’ participation.    

Mubarak Abdullah Al Mahri, the father of Abdullah Al Mahri who competed in Boys/ Kids 1 / white / 18lg – A Division, commented: “The competitions showcase the tremendous efforts of the championship’s organizing committee in ensuring that exceptional tournaments continue to take place.”  

Amira Ali, mother of Dana Al Hammadi, who competed in the Girls / Kids 3 / Grey / 25KG - B Division, praised the Federation’s ambitious plan to bring sports to every household in the region, while creating the perfect environment for discovering and nurturing talents.