The UAE national jiu-jitsu team has departed for Almaty, Kazakhstan, where squad members will compete in the third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championships and the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships. The youth event will take place from July 13-16, followed by the adult competition from July 17-19. The tournaments will bring together Asia’s leading national teams in one of the continent’s premier jiu-jitsu events.
Strong Track Record
The team heads into the championships on the back of an impressive track record at continental level, having topped the adult standings at the ninth edition in Amman. The campaign concluded with 22 medals, underlining the UAE’s position as one of Asia’s leading jiu-jitsu nations. The Asian Championship is an important event for the team due to its high technical standards and the level of competition. It provides an opportunity to build on the UAE’s strong continental success while further preparing athletes for other upcoming international competitions.
Squad Composition
The Adult squad includes Omar Ali Al-Suwaidi and Rashed Mohammed Al-Shehhi (56kg), Khaled Mohammed Al-Shehhi and Mohammed Al-Ketbi (62kg), Sultan Hassan and Omar Al-Fadhli (69kg), Mahdi Al-Awlaqi and Fahad Al-Hammadi (77kg), Saeed Al-Kubaisi and Faraj Al-Awlaqi (85kg), Amaar Al-Hosani (94kg), and Rashid Al-Himany and Hazza Farhan (+94kg). The U-21 squad features Obaid Al-Ketbi and Abdulrahman Sayedna (56kg), Abdulrahman Ahmed Saleh Abdulhaq (62kg), Faisal Al-Wahedi and Ahmed Andeez (69kg), Abdullah Andeez and Abdulaziz Al-Akidi (77kg), Saif Al-Ameri and Majed Al-Shamsi (85kg), Theyab Al-Jneibi (94kg), and Abdulrahman Al-Najar (+94kg).
Federation Vision
Mubarak Saleh Al-Menhali, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s technical director, said participation in the 10th Asian Championship formed part of the organization’s vision of strengthening the team’s presence at continental and international competitions while building on its achievements in recent years. “Jiu-jitsu in the UAE enjoys tremendous support from the country’s wise leadership, which has helped establish an integrated sporting system that enables Emirati athletes to develop, compete and raise the UAE flag at the world’s biggest championships,” he said. “The team heads into this championship with high spirits, inspired by last year’s success in Amman, where it claimed the Adults’ title and finished with a total of 22 medals, including seven gold medals following the conclusion of the Under-21 competitions.”
Technical Preparation
He added: “The Asian Championship is an important technical test because it brings together the continent’s strongest national teams and gives our athletes in both the Adults and Under-21 categories a valuable opportunity to assess their readiness. Over recent months, the Federation has implemented a comprehensive preparation program covering the technical, physical and mental aspects, while selecting the athletes best prepared for each weight division to maximize the team’s ability to continue its continental success and deliver performances worthy of the UAE.”
Coach's Perspective
National team coach Alan Nascimento said the technical staff had focused throughout the preparation period on improving team cohesion, increasing athletes’ responsiveness on the mat and enhancing their ability to adapt to the changing demands of each contest. “The team enters the championship with a well-balanced mix of experienced athletes and promising young talent, giving us valuable tactical flexibility across all weight categories. Our preparations have focused on the fine details that make the difference in continental championships, including controlling the pace of matches, timing attacks effectively, defending under pressure and maintaining concentration until the final seconds,” he said.
Long-Term Strategy
The team’s participation in the championship forms an important part of the Federation’s long-term athlete development strategy, helping prepare athletes for future international competitions while providing the next generation with valuable competitive experience to ensure the UAE remains at the forefront of Asian and international jiu-jitsu.
