Emiratis Al-Katheeri, Al-Shehhi reach Black Belt Finals at Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Zayed Al-Katheeri and Khaled Al-Shehhi emerged victorious on Thursday to secure berths in their respective Professional Black Belt finals in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships at Mubadala Arena.

Friday’s gold-medal matchups will pit both Emiratis against Brazilians with Al-Katheeri taking on Yuri Hendrex in the 56 kg weight category and Al-Shehhi facing Meyran Alves in the 62 kg division.

UAE athletes, representing various local clubs and academies, won six medals on the penultimate day of action before the Friday finale and Saturday’s awards ceremony. In the team competition for the purple and brown belts, Commando Group claimed first place, followed by AFNT in second and Baniyas in third place.

Asma Al-Hosani of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club won gold in Women’s Gi/Purple/ Professional/55 kg, while Hessa Al-Shamsi of Al-Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy won bronze in the same division.

In the Men’s Gi/Brown/Professional/69 kg division, Mohammed Al-Swaidi of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club won silver, while in the Men’s Gi/Purple/Professional/85 kg, Saeed Al-Kubaisi of Al-Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy won bronze.

Mohammed Saeed Al-Ketbi, representing Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, won silver in the Men’s Gi/Purple/Professional/56 kg. Omar Ali Al-Suwaidi also impressed with a gold for the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club in the Men’s Gi/Brown/Professional/56 kg division.

Mohammed bin Dalmouk Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the fighters, saying: “Athletes in purple, brown, and black belts have delivered impressive performances today. The competitions were really intense and exciting.

He added: “I congratulate our champions who have made it to the podium today. This is the