ABU DHABI, 11th November, 2024 (WAM) -- The UAE’s Commando Group emerged victorious at the Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship, part of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Athletes aged 30 and above competed in the blue and white belt divisions today, with Commando Group building on its previous day’s success and delivering an impressive performance.
Brazil’s Checkmat International took second place, closely followed by the Kazakhstan National Academy in third. This year’s amateur category competitions saw a significant increase in participation, elevating the technical level of competition as well as underscoring jiu-jitsu's positive physical, mental and social impact.
Several dignitaries attended the championship and awarded the winners, including Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Amal Abdul Qadir Al Afifi, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education; Rashed Saif Al Qubaisi, Group Chief Operating Officer of PureHealth; Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAEJJF; Rashid Humaid Al Qubaisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media; Dr. Suad Al Suwaidi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education; Elena Sorlini, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports; Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAEJJF; and Omar Ali Ahmed, Director of International Relations at ADNOC.
Amal Abdul Qadir Al Afifi said, “Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to elevating its sports landscape and showcases how the capital has emerged as a global sports hub. Abu Dhabi has become a model for delivering high-level sports experiences, attracting top athletes of all ages, and fostering cultural exchange.”
She further commended the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for creating an inclusive sports platform that enables athletes of all ages to hone their skills and compete in an inspiring environment. “The championship highlights the Federation's success in promoting jiu-jitsu and expanding its influence locally and globally.
Mubarak Saleh Al-Menhali, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, underscored the importance of today’s competitions, noting that the high turnout in this division demonstrates jiu-jitsu’s growing popularity in both local and international communities.
Al-Menhali added that these athletes offer more than athletic accomplishments, serving as role models for younger generations by showing how Jiu-Jitsu can help tackle daily challenges and support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”
“Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship shows that Jiu-Jitsu transcends age and experience, uniting everyone through shared passion. This aligns with the Federation's mission to encourage to promote the incorporation of the sport into daily life, encouraging personal growth and fostering self-improvement for all practitioners.”