UAE Champions Achieve Outstanding Success With 24 Medals At Abu Dhabi Grand Slam In London

The UAE national team excelled at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Championship in London, concluding with a remarkable performance. Held at the Copper Box Arena, the team added 14 medals on the final day, including nine golds, one silver, and four bronzes. This achievement brought their total to 24 medals, reinforcing the UAE's prominent position in global jiu-jitsu.

The championship's final day focused on professional competitors. Notable gold medalists included Obaid Al Ketbi from Al Ain Club in the 56kg purple belt category and Harib Al Hammadi from Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in the 62kg purple belt division. Other winners were Fahad Al Hammadi (77kg, purple belt) and Mahdi Al Awlaqi (85kg, purple belt), both representing Baniyas Club.

Additional golds were secured by Rashed Al Shehhi (56kg, brown belt) and Mayed Al Shehhi (62kg, brown belt) from Baniyas Club. Omar Al Suwaidi of Al Wahda Club triumphed in the 56kg black belt category. Khaled Al Shehhi from Al Ain Club won in the 62kg black belt division, while Shamma Al Kalbani of ADMA Academy took gold in the 62kg purple belt class.

Sultan Hassan from Baniyas Club earned a silver medal in the 69kg purple belt category. Bronze medals were awarded to Sultan Jabr (69kg, brown belt), Zayed Al Shamsi (56kg, brown belt), Jassim Al Hosani (120kg), and Faraj Al Awlaqi (94kg, purple belt). These athletes represented clubs such as Al Wahda and Baniyas.

The London leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Tour is a key event organised by Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP). It is considered one of the most prestigious stops globally. This year's edition attracted over 1,500 athletes from 72 countries competing over three days. The tournament's international reputation and high organisational standards are evident.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam provides a platform for elite jiu-jitsu athletes worldwide. It awards crucial ranking points that help qualify for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The event underscores the UAE's status as a global hub for jiu-jitsu by offering top-tier matches governed by world-class standards.

Future Growth Plans

Sada Yoshi Kurimori from AJP Tour's organising team in Europe remarked on the event's success: "This has been an outstanding experience for jiu-jitsu in Europe. AJP continues to elevate the sport globally." He highlighted intense matchups featuring top-ranked athletes and expressed pride in both organisation and performance achievements.

Kurimori also shared plans for future growth: "We're already working to increase participation next season — and we're confident we can do it." He noted that AJP has become Europe's largest jiu-jitsu organiser with over 67 events annually and aims to expand to 120 events soon, potentially adding Portugal as a new location.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam serves as a testament to its role as a premier platform for jiu-jitsu athletes worldwide. It not only offers competitive opportunities but also reinforces organisational excellence through high-level matches and comprehensive media coverage.

With inputs from WAM