Almaty: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, backed by Mubadala Investment Company, completed a remarkable achievement at the third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship and the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event, which took place from July 13 to 19, saw the UAE team secure an impressive total of 55 medals across the Under-16, Under-18, Under-21, and adult categories, consisting of 20 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze medals.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE's standout moment occurred during the adults' competition, where the team successfully defended their Asian title by finishing at the top of the overall standings with 15 medals, including five gold, six silver, and four bronze. This victory reaffirmed their dominance against some of the continent's strongest teams at the highest level of competition.
The adult team's success included nine medals in the men's division with three gold, five silver, and one bronze, and six medals in the women's division with two gold, one silver, and three bronze. These combined performances secured the overall title for the UAE.
In the third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship, the UAE Under-16 team commenced their campaign with 15 medals, including three gold, five silver, and seven bronze. The Under-18 team added 12 medals to the tally, comprising four gold, two silver, and six bronze. Remarkably, the Under-21 team recorded the highest number of gold medals among all age categories, claiming 13 medals-eight gold, two silver, and three bronze.
The UAE team's success across all four categories underscores the effectiveness of the country's athlete development pathway, which continues to prepare athletes at every age level, enabling them to progress to the senior national team and compete successfully at the highest levels.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, highlighted the significance of this achievement. He attributed the success to the UAE's leadership and the strong foundations established for athlete development. He emphasized that the adults' team's Asian title represents the fruit of a long-term development strategy across all age categories.
Al Batran also noted the importance of structured technical programs that guide athletes from grassroots participation to continental and world podiums. He expressed pride in the athletes, coaches, and administrative staff, emphasizing the team spirit that united everyone in their shared goal of raising the UAE flag and strengthening the country's leadership in Asian jiu-jitsu.
As the Asian campaign concludes, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi next month. Al Batran assured that preparations would be further strengthened to ensure the team is fully prepared to deliver performances that reflect the stature of the event and Abu Dhabi's position as a global capital of jiu-jitsu.
Individual athletes also shared their experiences and aspirations following their success. Saeed Al-Qubaisi, Saif Al-Baloushi, Aisha Al-Jneibi, Khaled Al-Shehhi, and Asma Al-Hosani each noted how their achievements were driven by team spirit, strategic planning, and the support of coaching staff, all of which contributed to the overall success of the UAE's campaign.