MOD UAE take lead on Day 2 of Abu Dhabi Grand Slam event

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour 2023-2024 - Abu Dhabi (ADGS Abu Dhabi) continued at the Mubadala Arena on Saturday, with a thrilling display of top-class jiu-jitsu talent across both the master’s and amateur categories.

As the results were announced for the event’s second day, the MOD UAE team showcased their dominance by claiming first place in both categories.

Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), this edition of ADGS Abu Dhabi is welcoming 2,500 participants from across the globe to Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

Saturday’s competitions witnessed stellar performances from athletes in both amateur and master divisions. Notably, Commando Group and ZR Team International secured second and third places respectively in the masters division, while Checkmat International and Sharjah Self Defence Sports Club claimed second and third places in the amateur division.

The championship kicked off on Friday with youth competitions, where Al Jazira Club emerged victorious, followed by Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club as runners-up, and Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club secured the third position. Competitions will continue on Sunday with professional division athletes taking to the mats.

 The competitions on Saturday were attended by Odonbaatar Shijeekhuu, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the UAE; Mohammed Bin Dalmouk Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAEJJF, along with officials from the events partners and sponsors and the participating clubs and academies.

 Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “ADGS Abu Dhabi consistently raises the bar, with a record-breaking 2,500 athletes from around the world participating in this prestigious event. It is one of the major events in the global Jiu-Jitsu calendar, attracting elite professionals.“

Odonbaatar Shijeekhuu, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the UAE, added, “I’m pleased to attend the ADGS Abu Dhabi. It’s always fantastic to see how the UAE organises major international sporting events with the utmost professionalism. We are very proud to be here with the Mongolian athletes, including adults and youth. They won several medals at ADGS Abu Dhabi and Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship last week. We are happy to be here, and I believe these events bring our nations and people closer together, demonstrating messages of tolerance and coexistence.”

 Tariq Al Bahri, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro, highlighted the championship’s role in elevating players rankings as winners in each category are awarded 3,000 points.

“The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam championship, held across its five rounds this season in Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Tokyo, Rome, and finally Abu Dhabi has provided a platform for thousands of professionals to test their skills against the world’s best.

“Accumulating ranking points at these competitions enables athletes to qualify to win valuable prizes at the end of the season,” Al Bahri said.

Elsewhere, Raphael Barbosa, head of Jiu-Jitsu at UFC GYM ME, commended his team’s performance: “The team is doing an amazing job. Today, we had around 20 athletes, and we won three gold medals. I’m very happy with the performance. We recently established a competition team, and it’s already yielding very good results.

“So, this is just the beginning of the new journey we are embarking on. I also can’t wait for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in November.”

Brazilian Marcelo Brito, who scooped gold for MOD UAE in Under 94kg division, said: “Winning gold in this prestigious tournament is a dream come true. It’s a testament to my hard work and dedication. It was not an easy ride, each fight I fought today was challenging. It requires mental fortitude and determination to win, I am glad I did that.”

Emirati Marwa Alhosani of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, who took the gold in the Under 70 kg category, added: “Standing atop the podium here in Abu Dhabi is a moment I will cherish forever. I want to thank my fellow team members and coaches for their support. I also thank the UAEJJF and AJP for this wonderful event, and for providing a platform to show our skills to such a vibrant audience.”