Baniyas Takes Lead on Opening Day of Third Round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) kicked off today at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, drawing strong participation from athletes across various age groups. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club topped the medal standings, while M.O.D UAE and Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club claimed second and third places, respectively.
The championship is an important event in the UAE's jiu-jitsu calendar and had a big turnout on the first day. It included youth, adult, and master categories, with a mix of excitement and experience helping athletes improve by competing alongside some of the sport's top names.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including H.E. 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; H.E. Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre; H.E. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Acting Assistant Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council; H.E. Mohammed Humaid Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; H.E. Suhail Abdulla AlAreefi, Executive Director of Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council; and Ahmed Al Shaikh Al Zaabi, Executive Director, Delivery at Modon.
H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran said, 'The championship is witnessing continuous development with each round, both in terms of technical performance, participation, and audience engagement. These successes reflect the significant support jiu-jitsu enjoys in the UAE and the Federation's commitment to promoting a culture of sport within the community.
'The large audience turnout and the strong performances of the male and female athletes reinforce the championship's goals of spreading sporting and humanitarian values and enhancing cultural diversity and community cohesion within a sporting atmosphere defined by positive competition.'
H.E. Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi said, 'The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship embodies an inspiring model of integration between sports, health, and community development. It is an important event that contributes to building a conscious, physically and mentally fit generation. The wide participation, professional organisation, and outstanding technical level we are witnessing confirm Abu Dhabi's position as the capital of the sport and reflect the wise leadership's commitment to instilling a sporting culture that enhances quality of life and brings together noble values across generations.'
H.E. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi added, 'The championship has become a model of excellence in organisation and a clear indicator of the progress achieved by jiu-jitsu at both local and international levels, thanks to the vision and continuous support of our wise leadership. This initiative is helping raise awareness about the sport's importance, contributing to its spread, and strengthening its foundations among younger generations.'
Abdullah Albaloushi from M.O.D UAE, who won gold in the Men Adults / Master / Brown / -77kg category, said, 'Winning this gold medal shows the result of constant training. The Masters category brings together athletes who are ambitious, experienced, and disciplined, which makes the competition a real challenge. This championship is a great chance to prove that passion for the sport isn't about age; it's about will and determination.'
The championship continues tomorrow, Saturday, with matches for the Under-14 and Under-16 categories before concluding Sunday with the Under-12 competitions.
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Web Release
16 hours ago
- Web Release
Baniyas Extends Lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
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Web Release
a day ago
- Web Release
Baniyas Tops Opening Day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club seized an early lead on Day 1 of the fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held Friday at Zayed Sports City's Mubadala Arena. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation-organised event drew strong competition from local clubs, with intense matches across youth, adult, and master divisions. Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club claimed second place, while M.O.D UAE rounded out the top three. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including H.E. Brigadier Mohammed Humaid bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Khalfan Abdulla Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre; Jasem Al Marzooqi, CEO of Advanced Military Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center (AMMROC); and Angelo Vincenzo Carlino, Managing Director of AgustaWestland Aviation Services, along with representatives of sponsors, partners, clubs, and academies. H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran praised the generous directive from His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to double the championship's prize money. He said this move reflects the UAE leadership's commitment to the development of top-level sports, especially jiu-jitsu, which has become the country's national sport. He added, 'The fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is especially important. It marks a key moment in the competition and gives us a chance to evaluate club performances and how well the athletes are prepared to continue their success in the upcoming stages.' Jasem Al Marzooqi, CEO of AMMROC, affirmed that the strong organisation and professional level of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflect the leadership's ambition to position the UAE as a leading global sports destination. 'The championship is progressing with every round. Both the technical and organisational levels show how successful the overall system is, giving athletes the ideal environment to grow and excel.' Igor Lacerda, coach of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club youth team, said, 'This round once again confirms the incredible progress the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is making across the board. It gave us as coaches extra motivation. We focused our preparations on mental and tactical aspects, and we are working to make the best use of our athletes' capabilities. From the start of the season, our goal has been clear, to strongly compete for the title. We believe this path requires consistent performance and discipline.' Bouchaib Elidrissi of Morocco, representing Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, won gold in the Men's Masters Brown/Black Belt –62kg division. He said, 'This achievement means a lot to me, especially since I faced an opponent in the final who was 20 years younger. This championship is a unique platform for athletes of all ages to showcase their talent and chase their goals. I sincerely thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the organisers for the tremendous effort they put into delivering such a professional event and creating a competitive environment that matches our ambitions and pushes us to give our best.'
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Prize pool for Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship increased
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