17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship welcomes 10,000 athletes from over 130 countries

ABU DHABI: The 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is set to get underway on Wednesday at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

Running until Nov. 22, the championship will welcome over 10,000 athletes from more than 130 countries, marking the largest edition in its history since its inception in 2009.

Organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and held 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 is the most prominent event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar, bringing together the world’s elite athletes across various divisions and age groups.

This year’s edition has recorded an 11 percent increase in athlete participation compared to last year, with more than 730 clubs and academies from around the world taking part. International athletes account for 60 percent of the total participants, reaffirming the championship’s position as a leading global event in the sport.

“As we launch the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, we are pleased to welcome guests from around the world to the UAE, a nation known for peace, tolerance and friendship,” said Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and chairman of the organizing committee. “The championship reflects our leadership’s vision to strengthen the UAE’s position on the global sports map and to promote sport as a key part of human development and the future. The event has become a platform that brings together cultures from across the world, showcasing our values of diversity, inclusion and excellence.

“Every year, the championship proves its