Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and honoured the winners on Monday as the Masters category competitions kicked off with a bang at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

In an intense day of top-class jiu-jitsu action, Commando Group secured the top spot, with Kazakhstan National Team and A.F.N.T taking second and third places, respectively.

The 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, is taking place until November 10, bringing together 7,000 male and female athletes from 127 countries.

Widely renowned for its fierce action, the Masters competitions drew in a huge global audience with Commando Group’s performance setting the bar for the event. Kazakhstan National Team and A.F.N.T demonstrated their prowess, establishing themselves as strong contenders, all while being cheered on by the vocal and enthusiastic crowd from around the world.

Besides Sheikh Mohammed, the competitions were also attended by Sheikh Humaid Bin Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi; Abdulmunem Alsayedmohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee; Youssef Abdullah Al Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Nasser Al Tamimi, general secretary of the UAE Judo Federation, Dr. Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training; Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), Khalid Ali Al Hosani, Vice President, Group General Services, (ADNOC); and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, secretary general of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations.

Shamsi praised the Masters athletes for their impressive performances. He said: “We are delighted that the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship has successfully brought together elite Masters athletes from around the world. These athletes possess great talent and a wealth of experience acquired over decades of competing in major tournaments.

“I would like to congratulate the Emirati players who have competed against champions from various continents and won, especially Abdullah Al Suwaidi and Ahmed Al Musabi who won gold medals in today’s competitions 69 kg and 85 kg weight classes, respectively.”

He continued: “The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to meet its strategic objectives, attracting fans from around the world to the global Jiu-Jitsu Capital who get to enjoy its tourist amenities and watch their favourite sports competitions at the Mubadala Arena.”

Tamimi emphasised that the championship, now in its 15th edition, continues to solidify its status as one of the largest events on the global jiu-jitsu calendar.

He said: “Year after year, the championship plays a crucial role in nurturing and developing a new generation of emerging Emirati and international talents. The eagerness of fans from all over the world for this event is clearly demonstrated by the packed stands and the unprecedented enthusiasm from supporters both from the UAE and the world.”