Athletes descend on Abu Dhabi for eighth Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The international delegations for the eighth Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships, comprising athletes, coaches, and officials, have started arriving in Abu Dhabi as the competitions gear up to kick off on Friday.

The championships, held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, will bring together over 1,500 male and female competitors from more than 30 countries at the Mubadala Arena from May 3-8.

Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, emphasised the completion of the preparations for the event and highlighted the readiness of all facilities, including hotels, training centres, transportation services, the competition arena, and the professional volunteers dedicated to serving the delegations throughout their time in the country.

"We warmly welcome our guests from various parts of Asia, promising them a pleasant experience in their second home.  “We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all our partners, sponsors, and media representatives for their cooperation and support for the prestigious championship. A special acknowledgement goes to the dedicated members of the OSS Volunteering Program for their tireless efforts,“ Dhaheri said.

Abdullah Al Zaabi, Head of the Events and Activities Section at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, affirmed that all technical and logistical arrangements necessary for the competitions have been completed.

He underlined the diligent efforts of the subcommittees working tirelessly to ensure the event's success. Zaabi assured that all venues are primed, and the tournament schedules have been finalised, extending wishes for a pleasant stay and success to all participating delegations.
Delegations from countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and India are among those who have already arrived in Abu Dhabi.

Representatives of the delegations expressed their enthusiasm for participating in the championship and expressed satisfaction with the reception organised.
Mubarak Ahmed Al-Qarni, a member of the Saudi Arabia delegation, expressed their excitement about participating in the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship and their determination to perform well.

Qarni emphasised the continuous preparations of their team, boasting a list of talented athletes aspiring to clinch medals. He also lauded Abu Dhabi for hosting the championship and wished the event organisers all the best.

The UAE national team, sponsored by the Mubadala Investment Company, is among the top contenders for the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship as well, and they are building upon their title-winning performances in the JJIF Youth World Championship in 2023.

Under the supervision of a dedicated technical team and coaches, the team members are currently focused on physical and mental readiness to compete at the highest levels. Hosting this event in Abu Dhabi for the second time in the last three years proves that the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s initiatives to promote the sport locally, regionally, and globally are yielding the intended results.

Ibrahim Al Hosani, coach of the youth national team, emphasised the team's rigorous preparation: “We have been intensively preparing for weeks, culminating in a specialised training camp at Mubadala Arena. Our training programme has focused on ensuring both male and female players reach peak competitiveness, addressing technical, physical, and psychological aspects.”

“The dedication and determination of our team members are commendable. I have full confidence in their abilities and believe they are well-equipped to clinch victory,” Hosani added. Hamdan Al Dhaheri, a member of the U-16 national team, expressed his gratitude to the UAEJJF for their unwavering support.

"I take great pride in representing this team and am immensely grateful for the boundless support from our visionary leadership, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, as well as our dedicated technical staff and coaches. Their encouragement fuels our determination to strive for excellence."

Echoing similar sentiments, Dana Ali Albreiki, competing in the U-18 division, remarked, "Through our intensive training regimen, we've witnessed tangible improvements in our fitness and strength levels. We are fully prepared to demonstrate our finest skills on the prestigious stage of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship."

Faraj Al-Awlaki, a member of the U-21 team, underlined the team's unwavering resolve, saying, "We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering peak performances. With rigorous training sessions in preparation for these highly competitive events, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase our abilities before our enthusiastic supporters."