Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship Begins Tomorrow At Mubadala Arena With 9000 Athletes

The 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is set to begin at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. The event, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, will run from 6th to 16th November. It will feature 9,000 athletes from 137 countries, showcasing both male and female competitors.

Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, welcomed participants to the UAE. He expressed confidence that the support from partners and sponsors would ensure a memorable experience for all involved. He emphasised that visitors would leave with admiration for the UAE's values of peace and tolerance.

The championship has seen remarkable growth since its inception in 2009 when it had just 260 participants. By 2022, this number had grown to 5,000 competitors, reaching an impressive 9,000 in 2024. This represents an 80 percent increase in registrations over two years. The event has also seen a 50 percent rise in international athletes since 2022.

Clubs and academies from countries like Kazakhstan, Russia, Brazil, and Colombia play a significant role in this diverse event. Their participation highlights the championship's importance in promoting international engagement in jiu-jitsu. The event's global status continues to strengthen as more athletes join each year.

The championship will begin with the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival for Kids on 6th and 7th November. This gives young athletes an opportunity to display their skills. Para-Jiu-Jitsu competitions will follow on 7th November, while the Youth Championship takes place on 8th and 9th November.

The Amateur category will compete on 10th and 11th November. Following this, seasoned athletes will participate in the Masters category on 12th and 13th November. The tournament concludes with the Professional Championship from 14th to 16th November.

Aspiring Athletes

Khaled Al Shehhi is competing in the black belt category at this year's event. He stated, "I’ve been training hard with my teammates, sharpening my style and skills for this challenge. I’m ready to compete and aiming for the gold medal." His dedication reflects the competitive spirit present at this prestigious event.

The opening ceremony promises to be impressive with various entertainment activities planned alongside performances by Emirati jiu-jitsu athletes. This sets a vibrant tone for what promises to be an exciting series of competitions throughout the championship.

The Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards ceremony will take place on 17th November following the conclusion of all competitions. This ceremony recognises outstanding achievements during the championship week.

With inputs from WAM