16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship Welcomes Global Athletes
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) is preparing for the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. This event will be held at Mubadala Arena from November 6 to 17, with around 8,000 athletes from 130 countries expected to participate. The championship has grown significantly since its inception in 2009, when it hosted 500 athletes from 50 countries.
H.E. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAEJJF and Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, stated: "We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience for this year's championship, adhering to the highest global standards. The continuous growth in participation is evident, and we are confident that this edition will elevate the global jiu-jitsu scene to new heights."
The event schedule includes the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival on November 6 and 7, Para-jiu-jitsu competitions on November 7, youth competitions on November 8 and 9, Amateur competitions on November 9 and 10, Masters' on November 10 and 11, and Professional competitions from November 14 to 16. The championship will conclude with the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards on November 17.
Al Dhaheri highlighted that extending competition days allows more athletes to compete. He added that this year's championship would build on previous successes, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's reputation as a global jiu-jitsu capital. He also noted that the support from UAE's leadership has been crucial in establishing Abu Dhabi as a global epicentre for jiu-jitsu.
Mohammed Hussein Al Marzooqi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at UAEJJF and Director of the Championship, mentioned: "The organizing committee is working closely with key partners like Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Interior to ensure the event runs seamlessly. From world-class infrastructure to detailed volunteer coordination, health and safety, our goal is to deliver an unprecedented experience for everyone involved."
This year's event will feature some of the world's top-ranked jiu-jitsu athletes such as Lucas Protasio, Felipe Bezerra, Julia Alves from Brazil; Marwa Al Hosani from the UAE; and Chris Boyer from the USA. The surge in registrations—exceeding 50% two months ahead of the event—underscores growing anticipation.
The championship's success in attracting thousands of participants highlights its universal appeal. Al Dhaheri emphasised that it serves as both a platform for local talent development and a stage for international competitors seeking to improve their rankings. "The success of the championship in attracting thousands of participants from around the world highlights its universal appeal and its role in uniting cultures through sport," he continued.
With extraordinary participation expected this year, efforts are focused on accommodating more athletes. Al Marzooqi said: "With extraordinary participation expected this year, we are striving to accommodate the rising number of athletes. Our efforts are focused on ensuring this edition truly reflects Abu Dhabi's status as a global sports capital."
The remarkable growth since its first edition in 2009 demonstrates how far the championship has come. Last year's event saw over 7,000 participants from 127 countries. The upcoming edition promises even higher numbers, solidifying Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for jiu-jitsu.
Athletes are encouraged to secure their spots early due to high demand. Registrations are expected to close sooner than planned because of this surge in interest.
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