UAE jiu-jitsu team grab 8 medals at Youth World Championship

ASTANA: The UAE’s national jiu-jitsu team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Co., made a strong start at the JJIF World Championship YOUTH 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan, clinching an impressive eight medals in the under-16 division.

Ahmed Alshamsi gifted the UAE its first gold in the championship in the 42 kg division. He was soon joined on the podium by Obaid Al-Ketbi, who scooped gold in the 50 kg division, and Harib Alhammadi with gold in the 55 kg division.

In their first international event, the under-16 athletes showed impressive skills and won three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, providing a solid start to their title defense. Salem Alhamoud (over 73 kg) and Adnan Alzarooni (60 kg) won silver for the UAE on Tuesday, the opening day of the four-day event. Eysa Alblooshi (38 kg), Hamdan Alnajar (46 kg), and Abdulaziz Alakidi (66 kg) won bronze medals.

Host nation Kazakhstan has the highest number of participants, totaling 175 athletes. The UAE, victorious in the last three editions, has 86 athletes, Greece 76, and Uzbekistan 70.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, deputy chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “I extend my congratulations to the under-16 team for their remarkable performance today. They have performed incredibly well despite the tough competition.

“As jiu-jitsu continues to grow worldwide, both the national teams and athletes are experiencing remarkable growth, which intensifies the level of international competition. This positive outcome is in line with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s vision to promote the sport globally, as evidenced by our hosting of major international events.”

“The UAE National Team is coming off a stellar performance at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Mongolia