Abu Dhabi jiu-jitsu event begins on Aug.16 in Dubai

The fifth round of the Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, dedicated to no-gi competitions, will take place from Aug. 16-17, 2025 at Al Nasr Club in Dubai, with the participation of nearly 1,000 male athletes from clubs and academies across the UAE.

Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the round will feature high-level contests across all divisions. The first day will host matches in the under-12, under-14, and under-16 categories, while the second day will see the under-18, adult, and master divisions competitions take place. The championship continues to draw elite athletes and promising talents, offering a professional environment that raises athletes’ technical performance levels, and cements the event as a leading sports platform in the nation.

Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed that the second edition of the championship serves as a leading model for talent development and building champions of the future.

He noted that no-gi competitions highlight new aspects of athletes’ skills and encourage them to adopt innovative and diverse techniques during matches, supporting the federation’s efforts to develop and refine their abilities. The category presents a unique challenge distinct from traditional no-gi competitions, relying more heavily on speed, physical fitness and tactical skill, which enriches the audience experience and gives the event a dynamic, exciting character.

He said: “Since its inception, the championship, which bears a name close to our hearts, has contributed to nurturing strong generations both mentally and physically. It has been a significant step in the journey of developing jiu-jitsu in the UAE and elevating it to new heights of excellence.

“The championship attracts all segments of society, from athletes and their families to jiu-jitsu fans, in an interactive environment that strengthens community bonds and promotes the core values of jiu-jitsu, such as commitment, discipline and teamwork. It also reinforces the importance of sport as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.”

Meanwhile, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team on Tuesday closed their campaign at the World Games Chengdu 2025 with a total of four medals, following Mohammed Al Suwaidi’s bronze in the men’s open weight division on the final day of their competition.

Al Suwaidi, who had already secured silver in the men’s 69 kg division on Monday, added to the UAE’s tally, which now stands at one gold, two silver, and one bronze.

The UAE’s four medals at this major global event came courtesy of Saeed Al Kubaisi, who won gold in the men’s -85kg division; Mehdi Al Awlaki, who took silver in the men’s -77kg category; and Mohammed Al Suwaidi, who earned silver in the -69kg division and bronze in the open weight competition.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, “We are proud of the performance of our athletes at the World Games, where they faced some of the biggest names in jiu-jitsu on the international stage.