Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 Features Strong International Presence And Talented Athletes

The Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship began today, marking a significant event within the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The competition saw robust participation from top local and international clubs and academies. Athletes aged 10 to 17 competed in the grey, yellow, orange, and green belt categories, showcasing impressive technical skills that highlighted their rigorous preparation.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, a UAEJJF Board Member, commented on the championship's growth: "Today showed how much the championship has evolved in terms of organisation and technical level. We saw strong and advanced performances from youth athletes. These age groups are the foundation of jiu-jitsu’s future, and they provide national teams with talented athletes. These performances from athletes around the world show how fast the sport is growing and how much effort clubs and academies are putting into training a disciplined and professional generation. Every year, the championship proves it is a global platform for developing champions and spreading the sport’s values."

The event was attended by notable figures such as Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Odonbaatar Shijeekhuu, Mongolian Ambassador to the UAE; Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; among others. Their presence underscored the championship's importance on an international scale.

Redha Monfaredi expressed pride in attending this key event: "I am proud to be here at this significant event. The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship has helped raise the level of the sport around the world. We are happy to see record numbers of participants growing every year. The UAE is strongly recognised for its constant support in developing jiu-jitsu at regional and international levels. Today, we see many participants from all age groups, including top professional athletes."

The championship will continue tomorrow with competitions in youth blue and purple belt divisions. These matches are anticipated to feature even more intense competition as top talents from both local and international arenas participate.

Fernando Almeida from UFC Gym Middle East shared insights on their participation: "This is our third time taking part in this important championship, and it is the first time for several of our athletes. Our team has 16 male and female athletes, and we see this as a great chance for them to compete against strong talent from around the world. We hope they gain more competitive experience and confidence on the mat. Championships like this help athletes develop quickly, as they bring together different skills and jiu-jitsu styles."

The seventeenth edition of this prestigious event is held under His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's patronage. It continues to attract leading clubs globally due to its high organisational standards.

The broad international participation underscores Abu Dhabi's esteemed position in global jiu-jitsu circles. It reflects confidence in its organisational prowess while offering diverse training experiences that enhance competition quality.

With inputs from WAM