Bangkok, Thailand – The UAE national Jiu-Jitsu team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, began its participation in the World Junior Jiu-Jitsu Championships. This event, hosted by the Thai capital, Bangkok, runs from November 8 to 14. The team secured seven medals in the under-16 boys’ category, including two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals.
Ali Al Najjar won gold in the 52kg weight class, and Hazza Al Kaabi won gold in the 56kg weight class. Rakan Al Yamahi took silver in the 44kg weight class. Ghanem Al Ali won silver in the 52kg weight class. Mohammed Juma Al Darmaki won bronze in the 40kg weight class. Khalfan Al Qubaisi won bronze in the 56kg weight class. Fahad Saud Al Dhaheri won bronze in the 62kg weight class. These impressive results confirm the strong presence of the national team players from the very first day of the championship.
The most important tournaments included in the events calendar
The World Junior Jiu-Jitsu Championship is considered one of the most important tournaments organized by the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation. It provides an opportunity for teams from different continents to compete in three main age categories. These include under 16, under 18, and under 21.
Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the outstanding performance. He noted the high spirits displayed by the players on the first day of the tournament. He affirmed that these results represent a promising start for the national team’s journey in this major global event.
He said, “Today’s results confirm that we have a generation that embodies our ambitious vision. We are building a solid foundation of champions capable of competing at the highest levels. This achievement is a direct reflection of the technical training programs and professional camps. They focused on developing skill and mental discipline.” He emphasized that the players’ performance reflects their self-confidence and belief in their abilities. This proves that investing in youth categories is the most successful strategy to ensure the sustainability of Emirati Jiu-Jitsu’s achievements.
gold medal
Ali Al Najjar, who won the gold medal in the 52 kg weight category, said: “Winning the gold medal at the World Championships is a dream I have always strived for. I feel very happy that I was able to raise the UAE flag on the world podium. The matches were not easy, but the confidence we gained from the training camps and the support of the technical staff was a key driver behind this achievement. I dedicate this medal to our wise leadership and to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which provided us with all the elements of success. I promise to continue working hard to achieve more titles in the future.”
Hazza Al Kaabi, who won the gold medal in the 56 kg weight category, said: “The competition was tough from the first bout, but the focus and team spirit that unites us in the national team provided the motivation for more determination and perseverance. The feeling of standing on the podium is indescribable, especially when the UAE national anthem is played in front of the world.”
The World Junior Championships continue on Sunday (November 9) with the girls’ under-16 category. The team hopes to continue its strong performance and add to its medal tally.
