Al Wahda dominate UAE Jiu-Jitsu season opener

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu 2019-2020 season got off to a highly competitive start following the first round of the Vice President’s Cup Championship at the Sharjah Sport Club on Saturday, with Al Wahda Sports Club taking the early-season edge and leading the way with 316 points after a thrilling day of action.

More than 150 athletes representing 13 clubs from across the UAE took to the mats, cheered on by a passionate crowd, who were treated impressive technical ability from the athletes eager to get their season off to a fast season.

Al Wahda Sports Club lead the way, claiming five gold, four silver and four bronze across the three age-group categories: Aspirant (Under 18s), Juniors (Under 21s) and seniors (Over 21s). Al Ain Club sits in second place with a total of 287 points after taking five gold, three silver and five bronze, while Baniyas Sports Club are on third spot with 256 points, including five gold and two Silver and five bronze.

 “We are honoured to have the season kicking off in Sharjah with such an important tournament in Vice President’s Cup Jiu-Jitsu Championship,” said Sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi who attended the first round of the Vice President’s Cup Championship.

“We witnessed extraordinary levels of technical and physical ability from our UAE athletes, promising the fans an exciting season ahead. This is one of the key championships that allows UAE talents to raise their skills and help them compete in high levels on the local and international stages.”

Qassimi praised the role of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in upgrading and developing the sport of Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE, backed by strong support from the UAE’s wise leadership.

Prominent among those who graced the occasion were Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Self Defence Sports Club; Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAEJJF; Yousef Al Batran; Engineer Sulaiman Al Hajri, President of Sharjah Sports Club for Individual Games and Obaid Moftah, member of the Board of Directors of Al Wahda Sports Club, .

“The Vice President’s Cup Championship demonstrates the extraordinary support of the sport by our wise leaders promoting its values across the country. This support reflected on the great development of Emirati talents enabling them to achieve at high levels on both the local and international stages,” added Dhaheri.

“This tournament is of a great importance in the UAE jiu-jitsu season. Having a championship being named after His Highness the Vice President emphasises the leadership’s desire to inspire our national talents and continue to develop this sport across the country.

“We are witnessing a great development in the technical levels of our players in this tournament. The sport of jiu-jitsu has become a fundamental basis in building a generation of ambitious talent that are able to represent the nation in international championships,” added Dhaheri

Commenting on the talent displayed at the tournament, Batran said: “What we witnessed today is an outstanding level of performance by the plyers who are keen to clinch the first place in the tournament that holds the name of Vice-President of the UAE. The sport of jiu-jitsu is now embedded in the lifestyle of our children and our society.”

Hajri praised the efforts exerted by the UAEJJF, headed by Abdulmunam Al Hashemi and the Board members, which contributes to the wide spread of the game throughout the country.

Hajri highlighted the great support jiu-jitsu receives from the wise leadership in the UAE leading to its success and spread. “Jiu-Jitsu has become a sport for all ages and its popularity is increasing on a yearly basis. The sport is now competing with other popular games in the country and outperformed others,” he said.

“We are proud that the Sharjah Sports Club is the starting point of the new Jiu-Jitsu season. With the unlimited cooperation linking the club and the UAEJJF, the club has channeled all of its potential to for the event to succeed,” added  Hajri.

Majid Al Shehhi, who told gold in the 55kg event at the Vice President’s Cup Championship for Baniyas club, said: “I am very happy to be in first place in this important championship.”