UAE raise medal tally to 11 at 2025 World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship

BANGKOK: The UAE jiu-jitsu national team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Co., raised their total medal tally to 11 at the 2025 World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Sunday in Thailand.

The tournament, which has age categories under 16, 18 and 21, began on Nov. 8 and ends on Friday in Bangkok.

The girls’ under-16 team added four medals on Sunday, including one silver and three bronze, to the seven medals won by the boys’ team on the opening day.

Sara Farook won silver in the 48 kg category, Mathail Alhammadi and Ghaiaheb Alrashdi earned bronze in the 36 kg division, and Maitha Alkarbi claimed bronze in the 40 kg division.

The UAE team’s total in the under-16 division now stands at 11 medals, including two gold, three silver and six bronze.

Abdulla Al-Zaabi, director of marketing and corporate communications at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the team.

He said their skill and discipline highlight the continued development of women’s jiu-jitsu in the UAE, supported by the nation’s leadership and the federation’s commitment to nurturing Emirati talent.

“This strong start gives us great motivation to maintain our momentum in the under-18 and under-21 categories and to increase our medal tally further,” said Al-Zaabi.

“It also reinforces the UAE’s standing among the leading jiu-jitsu nations on the world stage.”

Silver medalist Farook commented: “Standing on the podium at the 2025 world championship and winning silver is a dream come true.

“The matches were tough, but with the guidance of our coaches and the support of my teammates, I stayed focused on representing the UAE in the best way possible.

“I’m proud to have contributed to the team’s success and will keep working hard to win gold and raise the UAE