UAE raise medal tally to 11 at World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Bangkok

The UAE jiu-jitsu national team (U16), sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, raised its total medal tally to 11 at the 2025 World Youth jiu-jitsu Championship – U16-U18-U21 in Bangkok, Thailand, taking place from Saturday to 14.

The achievement comes after the girls’ under-16 team added four new medals on Saturday, including one silver and three bronze, to the seven medals won by the boys team on the opening day.

Sara Farook showcased her exceptional talent by winning the silver medal in the 48 kg category at the championship, adding a significant achievement to her career. Meanwhile, Mathail Alhammadi and Ghaiaheb Alrashdi both delivered strong performances to earn bronze medals in the highly competitive 36 kg division, demonstrating their resilience and skill. In addition, Maitha Alkarbi impressed with her determination and technique, securing the bronze medal in the 40 kg category. Together, these athletes highlighted the strength and depth of their team, making the UAE proud on the international stage.

With these results, the UAE team’s total in the under-16 division now stands at 11 medals, including two gold, three silver and six bronze.

Abdulla Al Zaabi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the impressive performance and steady progress shown by the Emirati girls on the second day of competition.

He said their skill, confidence and discipline highlight the continued development of women’s jiu-jitsu in the UAE, supported by the vision of the nation’s leadership and the Federation’s commitment to nurturing Emirati talent.

He said, “This strong start gives us great motivation to maintain our momentum in the under-18 and under-21 categories and to increase our medal tally further. It also reinforces the UAE’s standing among the leading jiu-jitsu nations on the world stage.”

Sara, who claimed the silver medal in the 48 kg category, described her achievement as a dream come true. “Standing on the podium at the 2025 World Championship and winning silver is an incredible moment for me,” she said. “The matches were extremely challenging, testing both my skill and mental strength.

“But with the guidance of our dedicated coaches and the unwavering support of my teammates, I was able to stay focused and give my very best. Representing the UAE on the world stage has always been my goal, and this medal is a proud milestone in that journey.

“I’m proud to have contributed to the team’s success and will keep working hard to win gold and raise the UAE flag in future competitions,” she added. The championship continues on Monday, November 10, with the boys’ under-18 category, as the UAE national team looks to build on its momentum and add to its growing medal count.

On Saturday, Ali Alnajar and Hazza Alkaabi won gold in the 52kg and 56kg categories, while Rakan Alyammahi and Ghanem Alali took silver in the 44kg and 52kg divisions.

Mohammed Juma Aldarmaki, Khalfan Alqubaisi and Fahad Saoud Aldhaheri earned bronze in the 40kg, 56kg and 62kg categories, marking a strong start for the UAE team on the opening day of the championship.

Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the athletes on their strong performances on the opening day, saying that the results mark a promising start for the national team in this major event.

He said, “Today’s results spotlight a new generation of athletes that embodies our vision of building a strong base of champions capable of competing at the highest levels. These achievements are the result of our preparation programmes and training camps focused on developing skill and mental discipline.”

He added that the national team’s performances reflect their confidence and belief in their abilities, demonstrating that investing in youth divisions is the most effective way to ensure the continued success of UAE Jiu-Jitsu.