Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – The eighth and final round of the second edition of the Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued on Saturday at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. This happened amidst a large crowd and an enthusiastic atmosphere. This atmosphere reflects the championship’s status as one of the highlights of the local season.
Today’s competitions were dedicated to the under-14 and under-16 categories. The players presented outstanding technical and tactical displays that reflected the extent of their development. Their performances also showcased their physical and mental preparation.
The results placed Al Jazira Club in first place on the second day of the competition. Bani Yas Club came in second, while Al Ain Club came in third. The points were very close, which bodes well for a fiercely contested final day for the title.
Crowning the winners
The competitions were attended by His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. His Excellency Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, was also present. Additionally, His Excellency Ahmed Fadel Al Muhairbi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, attended. Khalaf Salem Al Wahedi, Director of Events and Partners at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Mohammed Al Hammadi, Head of Premium Banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, were also in attendance. Hassan Al Shamsi, Head of Customer Business and Private Banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, was present too.
His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri emphasized that the second day of the tournament’s final round reflects the continuous development of the game across the country. This is evident both in terms of technical level and the scale of public and institutional participation. He said, “The strong fights and high-level skills displayed by the players confirm that we are faced with talents capable of leading the jiu-jitsu movement in the future.”
For his part, Mohammed Al Hammadi said: “We are proud to sponsor this exceptional championship. The Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship has been a qualitative addition to the UAE’s sports agenda, particularly in terms of the size of participation and the high technical level. This is not to mention the organization of its tours across the various emirates. This reflects the widespread popularity of jiu-jitsu and its connection to Emirati society. This championship has become a symbol of excellence and a platform that celebrates professionalism and sportsmanship. It brings together champions from all over the country.”
Family atmosphere
In turn, Mohamed Nabih Omar from the Arab Republic of Egypt, a father of three girls participating in the championship in the under-16, under-14, and under-12 categories, said: “The Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship has become an annual event that we all look forward to as families. It not only brings together the players. It also unites families and fans around beautiful values such as discipline, determination, and sportsmanship. This championship instills in our sons and daughters a love of challenge. It gives them a sense of responsibility and belonging. Simply participating in it is an experience that builds their character and propels them into the future with greater confidence.”
Majid Saeed Al Nahdi, a gray belt player from Al Ain Club (under 14 years old, 45 kg), expressed his happiness at winning gold. He stressed that ascending the podium in the final round has a different flavor. He said that his biggest dream is to represent the national team in international championships.
The tournament concludes today, Sunday, with the competitions for the younger age groups (under 12 years old). This will be followed by the crowning ceremony for the champions in the “suit” and “non-suit” categories.
