Youth division competitions of ADWPJJC end on high note

Abu DHABI: Jiu-jitsu athletes from all over the world put on a standout performance during the Youth division competitions on Day 4 of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship at Jiujitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City. Following a day full of intense action on the mats, the Kazakhstan National Team was ranked first, followed by Sharjah Self-defence Sports Club and Palms Sports - Team 777, who came in second and third, respectively in the boys’ category.

The Youth division competitions, which featured athletes from different clubs and academies from around the world, were spread out over two days, starting on Sunday with the girls’ category and continuing Monday with the boys’ competitions. In the competitions for girls, Palms Sports - Team 777 secured the top post while Al Jazira Jiu-jitsu Club came second, and Al Ain Jiu-jitsu Club came third.

The 14th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiujitsu Championship, according to Tariq Al Bahri, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Jiu-jitsu Pro (AJP), continues to solidify Abu Dhabi’s status as the World Jiu-jitsu Capital.

“Within one season, the AJP organised more than 180 jiu-jitsu championships around the globe, atracting the greatest competitors in the world to compete in a variety of categories. Our expertise in planning such events is therefore unmatched and serves as a model for the rest of the world. The entire world admires Abu Dhabi’s capabilities in planning and organizing world-class tournaments,” he said.

Bahri lauded the UAE players’ great performance as well as the excellent job local clubs and academies had done in preparing players for the highest levels of competition.

Maryam Musallam Al Mazrouei, Director of the Family Development Foundation’s community service division, expressed her delight at Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the ‘global jiu-jitsu carnival’.

“It is commendable that the UAEJJF went to such great lengths to organise a tournament of this level in accordance with global best practices. The federation was successful in reaching out to Emirati society and vastly expanding the base of practitioners. I appreciate the federation’s efforts as the events it organises have become events that brings communities together,” she said. Khuloud Abdulghaffar Alblooshi, who made her academy Al Ain Jiu-jitsu Club proud by winning gold in Teen 68kg class said: “I am thrilled that I was able to take home the gold at such a prestigious event as the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship. I’d like to take this chance to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me.”

Ayra Nazeer from India, who plays for Palms Sports - Team 777 was able to secure bronze in the Teen 80kg division on Sunday. “Being able to compete in the 14th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship was a fantastic opportunity for me. I received the bronze medal and am grateful that my good preparations weren’t in vain,” she said.

Farah Al Jimaz, a Kuwaiti competitor who plays for Absoluto Jiu Jitsu, emphasised that Abu Dhabi’s capability to organise outstanding international sporting events is demonstrated by the organisation of a tournament of this size.