Capital set to host World Pro Jiu-Jitsu

abu dhabi — The 10th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off Monday, in what is set to be one of the largest and most prestigious events in the jiu-jitsu sport’s history.

Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), the 13-day event will witness more than 9,000 participants competing at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, where they will fight it out for the top titles and total cash prizes exceeding $1 million.

The Championship is being held under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; who has been instrumental in the growth and development of Jiu-Jitsu on a local and global levels.

This support has resulted in the establishment and implementation of the Jiu-Jitsu school programme and the Jiu-Jitsu training centres in the aim to train and support talented players, enabling them to continue their paths and represent the UAE in various international platforms.

More than 80 per cent of the world’s elite Jiu-Jitsu athletes are converging on the UAE’s capital to participate in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu championship, with fan-favourites attracting crowds in one of the most anticipated events of the UAE sports calendar. Arriving with fresh victories under his belt, US national Gianni Grippo will be seeking to defend his 2017 gold medal.

Meanwhile, prominent Emirati talent includes world champion Faisal Al Ketbi, as well as UAE national Jiu-Jitsu athletes Talib Al kerbi, Obaid Alkaabi and Musabeh Al Khateri, among others from the most prominent academies and clubs from around the UAE. The tenth edition of the event also marks a decade of growth for Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE, where it is a national sport taught to almost 120,000 school students.