Abu Dhabi To Host The 8th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship Starting Tomorrow

The eighth Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship, set to unfold at Mubadala Arena tomorrow, Friday, comes under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, with aspirations to clinch the championship title for the fourth year in a row, has cleared the weigh-in stage, marking a promising start to their campaign.

Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, underscored the UAE's robust participation, showcasing over 100 athletes across various weight divisions. "The dedication and rigorous training regimen undertaken by our athletes and technical staff have significantly enhanced our team's capabilities," Al Menhali noted.

This year's championship will witness participation from 30 countries, including a diverse lineup from across Asia. Notably, Kazakhstan leads with the largest contingent of 300 athletes, followed closely by the host nation, the UAE, with 129 athletes. Other significant delegations include Uzbekistan with 116 athletes, India with 68, Mongolia with 60, and South Korea with 58.

The UAE national team is on a quest to secure the championship title once again, following triumphant victories in previous editions held in Abu Dhabi (2021), Manama (2022), and Bangkok (2023). In its last hosting stint during the 5th edition of the championship in Abu Dhabi, the team bagged a total of 18 medals—4 gold, 4 silver, and 10 bronze.

Marina Ribeiro, Coach of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Women’s Team, expressed unwavering confidence in the team's preparedness and ability to retain their championship title. "Our athletes are brimming with confidence following a meticulously planned training and strategy session," she stated.

On the international front, Sagiyev Kuat, President of the Kazakhstan Jiu-Jitsu Association, shared insights into their preparation. "Our team is aiming to surpass last year's second-place finish with a strong contingent of 70 athletes in the adult division," Kuat revealed. He also lauded Abu Dhabi for its pivotal role in promoting jiu-jitsu globally.

Allan Marcus, Coach for the Philippine Team, highlighted his team's readiness and optimism. "Our team includes gold medallists from prestigious events such as the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and 2023 World Combat Games. With all athletes successfully passing the weigh-in stage, our focus now shifts to fine-tuning our strategies," Marcus added.

The championship not only serves as a platform for showcasing martial arts talent but also reinforces Abu Dhabi's commitment to fostering international sports collaborations and promoting jiu-jitsu on a global scale. As teams from across Asia converge on Mubadala Arena, anticipation builds for what promises to be a showcase of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.

With inputs from WAM