UAE Under-21 national team win 10 medals at 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu C’ship

The UAE jiu-jitsu national team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, finished their remarkable campaign in the Under-21 category at the 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Amman, Jordan, with ten medals on the last day. This brought the team’s total throughout the tournament to 22 medals.

The Emirati athletes had outstanding performances, demonstrating high-level technical and tactical execution, winning three gold, two silver, and five bronze medals. The gold medalists were Mariam Al Ali (45kg), Rashed Mohammed Alshehhi (56kg), and Ammar Al Hosani (94kg).

Aysha Alshamsi (45kg) and Alanood Alharbi (48kg) won silver medals, while bronze went to Alanood Alhosani (57kg), Rashid Al Haimeini (+94kg), Saeed Alnuaimi (62kg), Ahmad Andeez (69kg), and Fahad Alhammadi (77kg).

Several UAE dignitaries attended the event, including Hamad Al Matrooshi, Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Amman, and Khaled Al Ali and Aisha Al Shehhi, both members of the UAE diplomatic corps.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, stated, “This achievement highlights the athletes’ technical maturity and mental focus, as well as their ability to succeed against top-level competitors across Asia. Our preparation included both local and international training camps focused on tactical and physical development — something that clearly paid off during the competition.”

The medal-winning athletes expressed delight in raising the UAE flag, emphasising that this achievement serves as a powerful motivator for future advancement.

Rashed Mohammed Alshehhi, who won gold in the 56kg division, expressed his delight in winning such a significant continental victory alongside his compatriots. “The matches were not easy, especially the final, where I faced a highly skilled and experienced opponent.

“I relied on tactical discipline and exploited my opponent’s flaws at vital points. With the coaches’ instruction and the rigorous preparation, we underwent, I was able to impose my style and secure the victory.”

Mariam Al Ali, who won gold in the 45kg category, described the intense competition and diverse fighting techniques as challenging. “I experienced various technical hurdles that needed me to constantly change my plan, but I was able to transition quickly between offense and defense and employ ground control efficiently.

“The technical assistance provided by our coaches prior to and throughout the event was critical in building my confidence. This gold medal is just the beginning; my dreams are expanding, and I’ll keep working hard to reach even higher levels.”

Jiu-Jitsu has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world, and has attracted a strong following in regional and global sports forums, due to its suitability for different ages, and the physical, intellectual and social benefits that its practice confers.

With the support and generous guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation is responsible for furthering the spread of the culture of Jiu-Jitsu and providing a stimulating and encouraging environment for practitioners of this sport.

Earlier, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) Board of Directors convened its regular meeting at the Federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi to review the current season’s progress, discuss preparations for the 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and evaluate the National Team’s upcoming continental and international participations.

Chaired by Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

He emphasised that the leadership support remains the cornerstone of the UAE’s continued success in the sport at both regional and global levels.

The board reviewed the federation’s achievements during the 2025 season to date and the comprehensive calendar of upcoming local and international events.

Discussions centred on new strategic initiatives designed to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in jiu-jitsu, with particular focus on expanding the sport’s reach and providing athletes with world-class training and competitive opportunities.

A detailed review was conducted of the proposed schedule for the 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, scheduled for November.