Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club Takes Lead On First Day Of Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Championship

The eighth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship began at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club led the leaderboard after Friday's events. The day saw intense competition, a vibrant crowd, and record participation from athletes across the UAE. Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club secured second place, with M.O.D UAE following in third.

Competitions on the first day included matches in the Under-18, Adults, and Masters divisions within the Gi category. The championship will conclude on Sunday with the crowning of overall season champions. Previously, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club won the No-Gi title in an earlier round.

Notable guests attended to honour winners, including Dr Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi from the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Mohammed Munif Al Mansoori from the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority, and several board members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, was also present.

Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri remarked on the event's success: "The opening day perfectly showcases how far jiu-jitsu has come in the UAE. The level of skill, preparation, and dedication from the athletes, coaches, and clubs highlights how this championship has grown into a key stage for developing future champions."

Abdullah Mohammed Al Ketbi shared his perspective: "I’ve been practising jiu-jitsu for four years and have seen the sport’s incredible rise in the UAE, both in terms of how well events are organised and how many people are getting involved. It’s inspiring to see how jiu-jitsu continues to make a positive impact on both physical fitness and mental well-being."

Mohammed Al Ketbi from Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club achieved gold in the Adults under-62 kg division. He stated: "I’ve taken part in every round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in both Gi and No-Gi. I now have six golds and two silvers. The level of competition was intense, as expected, so our training was very focused, with three sessions a day — two on the mats and one for strength and conditioning."

Upcoming Events

The championship continues with Under-14 and Under-16 categories scheduled for Saturday. It will wrap up on Sunday with competitions for Under-12 and Kids divisions.

The event's structure allows each age group to compete at their best level over three days. This format supports consistency and technical growth among athletes, which remains a priority each season.

With inputs from WAM