17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship gets underway with amateur competitions

ABU DHABI: The 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicked off on Wednesday at the Mubadala Arena in the UAE capital under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The championship runs until Nov. 22, bringing together more than 10,000 male and female athletes from over 130 countries.

The opening day saw competitions in the Adult Amateur category (above 18 years) and the Masters Amateur category (above 30 years) for white and blue belts. More than 1,000 male and female athletes competed in the amateur division, showing the sport’s wide reach both locally and internationally, and the diversity of ages and experience among participants.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and chairman of the championship organizing committee, said: “The strong turnout in the amateur category shows that jiu-jitsu is more than just a sport. It has become a culture that brings people together around shared values. Having more than a thousand male and female athletes from all around the world shows Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for this noble sport built on excellence, respect, determination, and perseverance.”

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie, owner of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy and a prominent figure in the history of the sport, was among those present at Mubadala Arena.

“Anyone watching the amateur matches today can see that the real spirit of jiu-jitsu comes from the passion of those who practice it, not from their ranking or years of experience,” he said. “We saw first-time competitors performing with the same focus and discipline as world