Record-breaking Abu Dhabi World Pro to feature 10,000 athletes

Under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the largest and most prestigious event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar, will be held from November 12 to 22 at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

The Organising Committee has announced that registration is now closed, confirming a record participation of 10,000 male and female athletes from more than 130 countries.

This milestone highlights the growing confidence of the global jiu-jitsu community in the championship’s organisation, while further cementing Abu Dhabi’s status as the world capital of jiu-jitsu and a leading international hub for sports.

The details of the 17th edition of the championship were revealed during a press conference held today at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi, attended by a host of dignitaries including Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee; Mohammed Hamid bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAEJJF; Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC); Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Executive Director, Strategy Affairs Sector at Department of Culture and Tourism - DCT Abu Dhabi; Yaqoub Al Saadi, Head of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels; Saed Hijazi Salameh, General Manager of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover at Premier Motors; Marwa Al Rahma, Vice President and Head of Events and Social Responsibility at the First Abu Dhabi Bank and Fahad Al Shamsi, Secretary General, UAEJJF.

Dhaheri extended his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his constant support for jiu-jitsu.

He said that this support has helped turn a vision into reality and made the UAE a global leader in the sport. He also expressed his deepest appreciation for Sheikh Khaled for his guidance and ongoing support, which have strengthened the sport and made it a national success story.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to our National Team athletes, who have proudly raised the UAE flag at every international event, most recently at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Thailand, where they impressed with their performance, discipline, and results. We are proud of you and always look forward to even greater achievements. We also thank the families of the athletes for their constant support, as they are true partners in every success. We also value the efforts of the coaches, administrators, and the Federation team who work together with dedication and team spirit.

“The 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the biggest in the event’s history, with 10,000 athletes from around the world taking part. We are happy to welcome everyone to the UAE, a country known for creativity, generosity, and tolerance, and we wish all participants the best. Our goal is to make sure everyone feels at home in the UAE, surrounded by friends and supporters.”

said, “The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to be a global sports hub and a home for jiu-jitsu champions. The event has become a model of excellence, thanks to our leadership’s support. We are proud to host a sport that promotes discipline, respect, and excellence, and continues to shape future champions.”

Fazari said, “At the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, we view sport as an important part of developing individuals and communities and driving economic and social growth. We continue to support events that strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global sports hub and promote values such as discipline, respect, and sportsmanship. Abu Dhabi has proven its ability to host major international sporting and cultural events with world-class facilities and exceptional hospitality.”

Salameh said, “We are proud of our 14-year partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship as the exclusive automotive partner and one of the sport’s earliest supporters in the UAE. We are honoured to be part of this major sporting event that stands for excellence, discipline, and determination. This year, we continue our support by providing a fleet of Defender cars to transport athletes, ensuring their comfort and a smooth experience that reflects the brand’s spirit.”

Marwa Al Rahma said, “We are proud of our partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which reflects First Abu Dhabi Bank’s commitment to community development and youth empowerment. Through our support of the Federation’s championships and the First Abu Dhabi Bank Jiu-Jitsu Academy, participation in the sport has grown significantly, with more than 2,000 students now training regularly at the academy. This partnership supports our goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive national values, in line with the leadership’s vision and the role of sport in shaping a confident generation that represents the UAE with pride.”

Elsewhere, Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, shared updates on the 17th edition of the championship, which has set a record with 10,000 athletes from over 130 countries and 730 clubs and academies taking part. He noted that women represent 32 percent of participants and that 60 percent of all competitors are from outside the UAE. He said these figures reflect the growing global confidence in the championship and Abu Dhabi’s status as the world capital of jiu-jitsu. Al Shamsi also thanked the partners and sponsors for their key role in the event’s success and in creating a championship that unites competition, cultural exchange, and community spirit.

The competitions will kick off on November 12 with the amateur category. The Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival, featuring events for kids, will take place from November 13 to 15, alongside Para Jiu-Jitsu competitions on November 13. The youth categories will be held on November 16 and 17, followed by the master’s on November 18 and 19. The championship will conclude with the professional competitions from November 20 to 22.