The fifth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi division) commenced on Friday at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, drawing athletes from top clubs and academies across the UAE. The opening day featured competitions in the U-18, Adults, and Masters divisions, concluding with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club securing the top position in the standings. MOD UAE followed in second place, while Al-Jazira Jiu-jitsu Club claimed third.
Championship's Role in UAE Jiu-Jitsu Development
Mohammed Hussain Al-Marzooqi, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, highlighted the championship's significance. In a press release, he stated: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship has become a cornerstone of the sport’s development in the UAE. Beyond organizing competitions, it provides a comprehensive platform to measure the progress of athletes and clubs throughout the season, supporting technical decision-making and future development plans.”
Al-Marzooqi further emphasized the championship's structure: “The championship’s consistent schedule and diverse age categories create a direct link between daily training within clubs and competitive performance on the mat. This allows coaches to evaluate athletes’ technical, physical and mental readiness while ensuring the championship remains a sustainable platform for discovering talent, developing athletes and preparing competitors capable of representing their clubs and the UAE national team at the highest level.”
Educational and Competitive Value
Fatima Al-Falahi, director of governance and institutional excellence at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, praised the championship's broader impact. She said in a statement: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflects the UAE’s approach to building a sustainable sports sector through investment in people, high-quality event organization and close collaboration between the federation, clubs and academies, alongside the vital role of families in supporting athletes’ development.”
Al-Falahi added: “The championship plays an educational role alongside its competitive purpose by promoting values such as discipline, respect, responsibility and decision-making under pressure, helping to develop well-rounded individuals both on and off the mat.” She also commended the event's high technical and organizational standards, as well as the strong family attendance.
Masters Division Success
Haitham Hanawi of MOD Academy, who won gold in the Masters Black Belt 56kg division, expressed his delight. “Competing in the Masters division requires experience, discipline, and strong technical and physical preparation. This victory is the result of daily commitment to training and successfully balancing my professional and sporting responsibilities,” he said.
Hanawi continued: “The championship gives Masters athletes strong motivation to continue competing and proves that jiu-jitsu offers opportunities for excellence at every stage of life. It is also an important platform for sharing experience and inspiring the next generation.”
Upcoming Competition Days
The fifth round continues on Saturday with competitions in the U-12 and Kids divisions, and will conclude on Sunday with the U-14 and U-16 divisions.
