UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team Achieves Eight Medals At Islamic Solidarity Games In Riyadh

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, backed by Mubadala Investment Company, wrapped up their participation in the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with a total of eight medals. They secured four golds, two silvers, and two bronzes after a strong performance on the final day. The competition included some of the region's most formidable national teams.

Khaled Al Shehhi clinched gold in the 62kg category, while Shamma Al Kalbani triumphed in the 63kg division. Asma Al Hosani added another gold in the 52kg class, and Mahdi Al Awlaqi earned silver in the 77kg category. The UAE team topped the medal table, surpassing Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

The team's success underscores their rigorous preparation and effective training programmes. Every participating athlete reached the podium, showcasing their dedication and synergy with coaching staff. These achievements are a testament to months of consistent effort.

Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the team for their remarkable results. He highlighted that Emirati jiu-jitsu's influence is now evident globally due to leadership support. "Maintaining this streak of achievements within a single month — at the Asian Youth Games, the World Championship in Thailand, and then the Islamic Solidarity Games — is remarkable," he stated.

He acknowledged the integrated system involving athletes' families, clubs, and partners. He commended athletes' discipline and dedication to representing their nation excellently. He also appreciated families' support and technical staff's harmony.

Coaching Insights

Helder Medeiros, Head Coach of the UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team, expressed satisfaction with the athletes' performances. "The results show how much progress the team has made after months of hard work," he noted. The team's recent success at international levels confirms their strength.

The athletes displayed discipline and focus against experienced opponents. Their competitive mindset enabled them to perform well and achieve commendable results. Medeiros expressed pride in both their medals and skill development.

Gold medallist Khaled Al Shehhi emphasised teamwork's role in his success: "The achievement was a team effort, not just an individual result." He highlighted that no athlete improves alone in jiu-jitsu. Representing UAE was a responsibility he embraced fully.

He added that their goal was to reflect their hard work through results: "What I achieved today shows our commitment and unity as a team." This motivates them to maintain their spirit for future competitions.

The UAE team's accomplishments at these games highlight their dedication and preparation efforts. Their success reflects strong leadership support and effective collaboration among athletes, coaches, and families.

With inputs from WAM