M.O.D UAE Takes Commanding Lead On Day 1 Of Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship In Sharjah

The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Round 3 No-Gi, kicked off at Al Bait Metwahid in Sharjah from 27th to 29th September. M.O.D UAE led the first day, with strong performances from Adults and Masters divisions. Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club followed in second and third places, respectively.

The championship spans a weekend, featuring U12 and U14 athletes on the second day and U16 and Youth categories on the third. This event is part of a five-round series across the Emirates, drawing top talent from the region.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, attended the opening day. Other notable attendees included Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qasimi and Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran from the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation was also present.

Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi expressed gratitude towards the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for organising this significant event. He highlighted the importance of investing in youth for a brighter future, stating that past investments are reflected in current achievements.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran emphasised that the championship serves as a platform to promote jiu-jitsu among various athlete categories. He noted that it reflects leadership's support for sports advancement, particularly jiu-jitsu, which fosters values like determination and patience.

Al Batran also mentioned the enthusiastic audience turnout, which added excitement to the event and motivated athletes to perform their best. He highlighted jiu-jitsu's special place in people's hearts.

Athletes Share Their Experiences

Haitham Hanawi from M.O.D UAE won gold in the Men’s Adults/Masters Brown/Black -56kg category. He shared that competing was tough due to different strategies required for No-Gi competitions but credited his success to hard training and team support.

Rasul Isaev from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Jiu-Jitsu Club secured gold in the Men’s Adults Blue/Purple -77kg category. He described facing skilled opponents as challenging but stressed that being physically and mentally prepared was crucial for victory.

The championship continues to play a vital role in promoting jiu-jitsu within the UAE by providing athletes opportunities to test new strategies and enhance their skills in competitive settings.

With inputs from WAM