MOD UAE Leads The Pack At AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship

The AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship is currently taking place in Abu Dhabi, featuring over 1,900 athletes from 13 to 15 September 2024. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), this event showcases top talent from local and international clubs in various categories, including youth, amateurs, masters, and professionals.

On the first day, 1,000 athletes aged 4-17 competed, doubling last year’s participation. Their performances reflected their dedication and preparation. The Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club led after the first day, with M.O.D Academy in second and Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club in third. On the second day, M.O.D UAE took first place, followed by Commando Group and Club Entropy Jiu Jitsu.

The championship has attracted significant international attention, with 500 athletes travelling from abroad to compete. First-place winners in each category earn 1,400 ranking points, enhancing their global standings and potentially securing a travel package for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, stated: "Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its global leadership in Jiu-Jitsu, thanks to the limitless support of the UAE’s wise leadership and the UAEJJF’s efforts in organising world-class championships." He added that these events help build cultural and social bridges among athletes and fans.

Tariq Omar Al Bahri, General Manager of AJP, highlighted that Abu Dhabi has become a global hub for jiu-jitsu due to wise leadership’s support. He noted: "The AJP Jiu-Jitsu Asia Continental Championship is one of approximately 400 tournaments organised annually by AJP in 70 countries and 160 cities worldwide."

Each event offers ranking points ranging from 600 to 4,000. The AJP Tour Asia Continental Championship awards 1,400 points to first-place winners. This explains the high turnout from both local and international athletes.

Athlete Experiences

Pablo Deziero, coach of Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, praised the championship for providing valuable experience to athletes. Thiago Marques from Commando Group Academy also emphasised the event's role in enhancing fitness and mental strength.

Spectators like Kazakhstan’s Miron Tair commended the tournament’s organisation and high standards. Fans are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's professional division matches featuring some of the world’s top jiu-jitsu athletes.

Personal Achievements

Brazilian black belt Emerson da Silva from School of Champs Academy in Paris won gold in the Masters 1, 56kg division. He said: "Competing in this tournament gave me a unique opportunity to face world-class athletes and gain new experiences."

Hareb Abdulrahman from Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club expressed his joy after winning gold in the 120kg category: "The competition was tough, and I’m happy to add 1,400 points to my ranking." He noted that tournaments like this inspire athletes of all ages to take up jiu-jitsu.

The championship not only provides a platform for fierce competition but also fosters interaction among elite champions. It plays a crucial role in developing sports talent at all levels while promoting physical and mental health through jiu-jitsu.

With inputs from WAM