Inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship gets underway in Al Ain tomorrow
AL AIN (WAM)The inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will officially begin tomorrow, 1st August, at ADNEC Centre Al Ain.Organised by International Vision Sports Management (IVSM), the three-day event will run until 3rd August and is expected to bring together hundreds of athletes from more than 20 countries to the Al Ain Region, Abu Dhabi.This initiative is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP).The official press conference to announce the completion of preparations was held Thursday at ADNEC Centre Al Ain and was attended Saeed Al Dhaheri, Destination Management Department Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of International Vision Sports Management. Several top athletes participating in the event, including Fellipe Andrew (Brazil), Leticia Cardozo (Brazil), Tamerlan Eslemesov (Russia), Liisi Vaht (Estonia), Salem Al Qubaisi (UAE), and Pouya Rahmani (Iran) were also present.Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director of Destination Management at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, 'Hosting the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship in Al Ain Region is an unprecedented milestone for the Middle East and North Africa region. It reflects the growth of the sports sector in the UAE and strengthens our position as a global hub for elite combat sports events.'This event aligns with the Department's strategic vision to meet rising global demand for combat sports, including grappling, which is one of the world's fastest-growing disciplines. At the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, we believe in the power of sports to bring people together, stimulate the tourism economy, and deliver exceptional experiences, particularly in Al Ain Region, a city rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty.'Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of IVSM, said the organising team is fully prepared to deliver a seamless and high-calibre experience for both athletes and fans. He added that the strong international turnout reflects the sport's rapid global growth and Abu Dhabi's rising profile as a destination for combat sports.'The launch of this championship aligns with the vision of our wise leadership to advance sports development in the country. We aim to create a platform that welcomes athletes from around the globe, enabling them to compete at a professional level while positioning the Al Ain Region as a key host city for international combat sports events. We are proud to see Abu Dhabi's name become synonymous with some of the world's premier sports competitions, and we hope this championship opens new doors for grappling athletes everywhere.'Al Bahri also confirmed that next year, one male and one female athlete selected from among the top performers at the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship and the three Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Grappling World Tour events will earn a place in the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship. The names will be revealed following the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship.
The competition will begin with professional and 35+ category matches through to the semi-final stage on the opening day. The youth and amateur divisions will take place on the second day, while the final day will feature third-place playoffs and championship finals for the professional categories. Winners will receive 2,000 AJP ranking points and substantial cash prizes, under AJP Tour regulations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship kicks off in Al Ain
1 Aug 2025 20:15 AL AIN (WAM)The inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025, organised by International Vision Sports Management (IVSM), kicked off today, Friday, at ADNEC Centre Al three-day event, running until August 3, is bringing more than a thousand athletes from over 60 countries to Al Ain Region for a highly anticipated showcase of elite initiative is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP).In attendance on the opening day were Saeed Al Dhaheri, Destination Management Department Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of International Vision Sports Management; and Kenneth Milimo Nganga, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the one featured matches in the professional divisions through to the semi-final stage. Athletes delivered intense and high-level performances in front of an enthusiastic audience, with many grabbing their spots in the finals and a chance to earn 2,000 AJP ranking points along with lucrative cash Al Bahri, General Manager of International Vision Sports Management, said, 'The Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship is a valuable addition to our impressive roster of local and international events and a new chapter in the sporting legacy we are building in Abu Dhabi. We have ensured the championship is staged at the highest level, offering grappling athletes a professional platform to showcase their talent on the world stage, right from the heart of the global capital of jiu-jitsu.'The successful turnout of more than athletes from over 60 countries, along with the remarkable public attendance, once again highlights Abu Dhabi's excellence in delivering international sporting events to the highest standards.'We witnessed outstanding performances today from competitors in the professional divisions. Their advanced techniques and vast experience reflect years of dedication to the sport.'Abdullah Saqr Abdullah, an athlete from M.O.D Academy competing in the 85 kg professional division, said, 'We began preparing for this championship well in advance, knowing it would be a high-level and brand-new competition that demands great focus. That raises the level of challenge, especially as we aim to earn as many ranking points as possible. The matches today have been extremely competitive, with a large number of participants, which pushes us to give even more to secure victory.' The official championship shirt was unveiled during a press conference at ADNEC Centre Al Ain on Thursday, and the championship continues tomorrow (Saturday), with action set to intensify as the youth and amateur divisions get underway. The final day promises to deliver even more excitement, with the playoffs and finals determining the top names in global grappling.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Abu Dhabi to host Open Masters Games in February; residents' fees at Dh275
UAE residents aged 30 and above can now sign up for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, the first event of its kind in the Middle East, taking place from February 6 to February 16. The event features 33 various sports and is expected to gather more than 25,000 participants from over 100 nationalities. Competitions will be hosted across 18 major venues, including Zayed Sports City, Hudayriyat Island, Al Ain Adventure, ADNEC, and Abu Dhabi Falconers Club. Registration is now open via the Open Masters Games official website, with entry fees set at Dh275 for UAE residents and Dh550 for international athletes. Participants aged 25 years old and above can join in swimming, while rugby is only open to those aged 27+. Special rates of Dh100 are available for People of Determination and senior citizens. Registration will close on December 31. Spots per sport category are limited, organisers clarified. A celebration of sport 'We're always on the lookout for new experiences for our team,' said Perry Gardiner, co-founder of Calibre Masters swimming club. 'With swimmers from across the UAE and visitors from abroad, it's shaping up to be a fun and competitive event.' The Calibre Masters Swimming Club, based in Dubai, offers swimming classes for adults and has built a community of competitive swimmers. 'We'd love to see as many of our swimmers as possible enjoying the experience, swimming fast and making the most of it,' Gardiner added. 'To have the chance to do all of that on such a big stage is a real privilege.' Andy Fordham, Project Director at Zayed Sports City, who will compete in the cycling events of the games, told Khaleej Times: 'With 33 sports and more than 20,000 participants, I expect a true celebration of sport, diversity, and resilience across generations.' The New Zealand director saw the games happening in his home country in 2017 and is now looking forward to participating and competing. 'I happened to be in my home country, New Zealand, during the 2017 Games held in Auckland. Although I wasn't a participant back then, I vividly remember the energy of it. Years later, I finally get to experience it as an athlete,' said Fordham. 'As for preparations, I've been balancing my training around work, focusing on both endurance riding and building up stamina for race day.' For those willing to contribute to organising the games, volunteer applications are open via the Emirates Foundation, with opportunities in logistics, athlete support, and hospitality. Roles are available for students, professionals, and community volunteers. 'Volunteering in the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 is more than just a contribution of time — it is a message of passion and belonging,' said Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation. 'The unity of volunteers embodies the spirit of collaboration toward promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging movement across all age groups.'
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship gets underway in Al Ain
The inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will officially begin on Friday, August 1, at ADNEC Centre Al Ain. Organised by International Vision Sports Management (IVSM), the three-day event will run until August 3 and is expected to bring together hundreds of athletes from more than 20 countries to the Al Ain Region, Abu Dhabi. This initiative is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP). The official press conference to announce the completion of preparations was held Thursday at ADNEC Centre Al Ain and was attended Saeed Al Dhaheri, Destination Management Department Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of International Vision Sports Management. Several top athletes participating in the event, including Fellipe Andrew (Brazil), Leticia Cardozo (Brazil), Tamerlan Eslemesov (Russia), Liisi Vaht (Estonia), Salem Al Qubaisi (UAE), and Pouya Rahmani (Iran) were also present. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director of Destination Management at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, 'Hosting the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship in Al Ain Region is an unprecedented milestone for the Middle East and North Africa region. It reflects the growth of the sports sector in the UAE and strengthens our position as a global hub for elite combat sports events. 'This event aligns with the Department's strategic vision to meet rising global demand for combat sports, including grappling, which is one of the world's fastest-growing disciplines. At the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, we believe in the power of sports to bring people together, stimulate the tourism economy, and deliver exceptional experiences, particularly in Al Ain Region, a city rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty.' Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of IVSM, said the organising team is fully prepared to deliver a seamless and high-calibre experience for both athletes and fans. He added that the strong international turnout reflects the sport's rapid global growth and Abu Dhabi's rising profile as a destination for combat sports. The competition will begin with professional and 35+ category matches through to the semi-final stage on the opening day. The youth and amateur divisions will take place on the second day, while the final day will feature third-place playoffs and championship finals for the professional categories. Winners will receive 2,000 AJP ranking points and substantial cash prizes, under AJP Tour regulations.
