Abu Dhabi: Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club made an impressive start at the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, dominating the medal standings on the first day of the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship, being held at the Mubadala Arena.

Boys aged 10 - 17, competing across the Junior, Teen, and Youth categories, showcased their remarkable skills on the mats.

Friday’s competition saw outstanding performances by the youth division, as they lived up to high expectations and were energised by the enthusiastic crowd cheering them on from the stands. Kazakhstan National Team academy secured the second position, with Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club taking third place.

 The competitions were attended by Abdulmunem Al Sayed Mohamed Al Hashmi, 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, Sarah Ibrahim Shuhail, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Sheltering and Humanitarian Care – Ewaa, Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations, and Mr. Khaled Ateeq Aldhaheri, Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Company – Daman.

Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, emphasised that the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to solidify Abu Dhabi’s status as the World Jiu-Jitsu Capital.

He said, “Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the championship is the participation of academies and clubs from countries around the world, including Brazil, France, Ukraine, Australia, the United States, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Some of these academies have been part of previous editions of the tournament, while others are participating for the first time. The strong international participation demonstrates the global jiu-jitsu community’s eagerness to be a part of the most prominent event on the global jiu-jitsu calendar.”

Batran hailed the impressive performance of the UAE athletes, which, in his view, reaffirms the key role played by local clubs and academies in qualifying and preparing athletes for competition at the highest levels.

He added, “We are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming days as there are exciting competitions lined up, including the amateur, masters, and professional categories, featuring an elite group of world-class athletes.”

Molnar Georgiana, the mother of Molnar Vasile from Absoluto Bjj (Romania), who participated in the Boys GI / Teen / Grey / 62KG division, shared her excitement. “I am so delighted to see my son competing and shining in the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. It’s an amazing competitive atmosphere out here, a true world championship that offers unmissable opportunities to meet and greet top athletes from around the world,” she said.

Hamdan Mohamad Alnajar, who clinched the gold medal for Sharjah Self-defence in the Boys Gi / Teen / Yellow / 42kg division, said, “I want to dedicate this achievement to the wise leadership of the UAE, the UAEJJF, my family, and the fans who supported me throughout my preparation for this tournament. I hope that this achievement on the global platform will propel my career forward at a fast pace.”

Brazilian Arthur Sousa from Gracie Barra International, who won gold in the Boys Gi / Junior / Orange, 78kg division, said, “Today’s victory is the result of continuous training, regular exercise, determination, and perseverance, which are among the most important values associated with jiu-jitsu. I want to dedicate this achievement to my family, friends, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey.”