Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club claimed the top spot in the second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which featured No-Gi competitions at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Sunday. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the championship drew athletes from various categories, including Youth, Adults, and Masters from the age of 10 and until over 30 years old.
The event gathered athletes from the UAE’s premier clubs and academies. At the end of Sunday’s competitions, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club claimed top spot, while M.O.D UAE took second place, and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club secured third.
The competitions were attended by His Excellency Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Suhail Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports; Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qassimi; His Excellency Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed 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; His Excellency Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club; His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, His Excellency Youssef Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Mansour Al Ketbi, Executive Director of Digital and Corporate Services at Mubadala Investment Company; Nasser Alabdool, Regional Manager at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Fawzia Faridoun, Acting Director of Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, and representatives from partners, sponsors, and participating clubs.
His Excellency Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Suhail Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports, said: “The championship reflects the significant progress of jiu-jitsu in the UAE, as these championships contribute to elevating the sport’s status at both local and international levels. This pioneering event exemplifies our commitment at the General Authority of Sports to support and host initiatives that raise awareness and encourage younger generations to engage in sports, develop their skills, and compete at the highest levels.”
His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The athletes performed exceptionally in today’s No-Gi competitions across various categories. This highlights the importance of the championship for clubs, academies, and athletes who participated aiming to increase their chances of winning the title at the end of the season. The championship’s ranking system encourages clubs to optimally invest in talents, and participate with the maximum number of athletes throughout all rounds of the championship. Additionally, including the under-12 category in No-Gi competitions for the first time adds value to the event, showing our commitment to nurturing young athletes and giving them important competitive experiences.”
The championship continues to fulfill its primary goals of providing an ideal platform for developing a strong generation of promising champions and promoting community interaction and cultural exchange. Enthusiastic crowds, families, and individuals from various nationalities have come together to support their children, united by a shared passion for the sport."
Fawzia Mohammed Faridoon, Acting Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, said: “I am delighted to be part of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, setting new creative standards of excellence and innovation in local Jiu-Jitsu championships. This reflects the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s efforts to promote and develop this sport across all levels, integrating it into the lifestyles of families and various societal groups. Dubai Sports Council takes pride in its continued support for individual sports, particularly Jiu-Jitsu, and its collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation in hosting major local championships.”
