UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team Arrives In China For World Games Chengdu 2025 Competition

The UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team, backed by Mubadala Investment Company, has reached China to compete in the 2025 World Games. This event, held in Chengdu from August 7 to 17, will see nearly 5,000 athletes from 118 countries participating in 34 sports. The UAE team aims to build on its past successes at the World Games.

In previous editions, the UAE team showcased impressive performances. At the 2017 World Games in Wrocław, Poland, they secured a gold and a silver medal. Their success continued at the 2022 Birmingham edition in the USA, where they won five medals: two golds, one silver, and two bronzes.

Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, who leads the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed confidence in the team's potential to achieve new milestones. He highlighted that both male and female athletes have consistently excelled on international platforms. The team's rigorous training regimen has prepared them well for this competition.

"We are confident our athletes are fully prepared for the championship. They’ve put in a lot of work through both local and overseas training camps, which helped enhance their physical and mental readiness. They also completed intensive technical and fitness sessions to ensure they are in peak condition heading into the competition," said Al Menhali.

Former champion Faisal Al Ketbi is accompanying the team to Chengdu. He believes that their current high ranking boosts their chances of winning medals. "Our team has a good chance of winning medals at the World Games, especially as they’re currently among the top-ranked," he stated.

The team underwent a training camp in Brazil before heading to China. This camp focused on refining techniques and enhancing overall fitness levels. Al Ketbi noted that morale is high within the squad as they aim to surpass their previous achievements of two gold medals.

Team Composition and Competition Schedule

The men's team comprises Mohammed Al Suwaidi (69kg), Mehdi Al Awlaki (77kg), and Saeed Al Kubaisi (85kg). For the women's team, Asma Alhosani (52kg), Shamsa Al Amri (57kg), and Shamma Al Kalbani (63kg) will represent the UAE. The jiu-jitsu competitions will commence on August 10 and conclude on August 12.

The UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team is determined to enhance its standing both regionally and globally through this prestigious event. Their preparation reflects their commitment to achieving excellence on an international stage.

With inputs from WAM