Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club Maintains Lead On Day 2 Of Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Championship

The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued with its fourth round on Saturday. Day 2 featured intense matches in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories at Mubadala Arena, Zayed Sports City. The event attracted top talent from across the UAE, with strong participation from clubs and academies, supported by families and jiu-jitsu enthusiasts.

Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club secured the top position in the overall standings. Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club followed in second place, while Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club took third. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, this championship plays a significant role in nurturing grassroots talent and promoting jiu-jitsu as a national sport.

More than 1,800 male and female athletes are participating in this fourth round, which has seen strong community engagement and attendance. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Dr Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities; and Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

Dr Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri remarked on the significance of jiu-jitsu as a national sport. He stated: "Jiu-jitsu is a national and community sport in every sense. This championship is well-organised and held under the 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 high level of organisation shows how much the sport has grown in the UAE and how well it is received by the community."

The championship also witnessed inspiring performances from young athletes. Baniyas athlete Salma Rashid Al Mansoori clinched gold in the Girls U14 -44 kg grey belt division. Her mother expressed pride: "This gold medal is the result of her hard work and focus. Winning in a tournament that carries such a respected name makes it more meaningful. We are also thankful to the leadership for increasing the prize money. It was a huge motivator."

Al Jazira's Noura Nasser Al Ghilani won gold in the Girls U16 -80 kg grey belt category. She shared her joy: "This win means a lot to me and my team. Jiu-jitsu has given me so much: confidence, discipline, and a drive to succeed. I thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the incredible support and promise to keep training hard to represent the UAE internationally."

Future Prospects

The championship concludes with competitions in Kids and Under-12 divisions tomorrow, expecting another strong turnout from local enthusiasts. Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri highlighted its importance: "The championship is special because it bears a name that is very dear to everyone in the country. The decision by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed to double the prize money made the players more ambitious and encouraged them to aim for top positions."

He further emphasised jiu-jitsu's role: "Jiu-jitsu gets strong support from the UAE leadership because it teaches important values and helps shape the character of young people. It has become a key part of sports in the UAE and plays an important role in developing the next generation."

The event continues to be pivotal for building young talent foundations through its ranking system that motivates clubs to enhance their athletes' skills.

With inputs from WAM