ABU DHABI: The AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at the prestigious Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, leaving the crowd enthralled with Commando Group’s remarkable victory.
The event, a collaborative effort between the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the esteemed Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro, showcased fierce competitions in both the amateur and professional divisions on the final day. Baniyas secured an impressive second place, while Al-Jazira claimed the coveted third spot on the podium.
كل لحظة من بطولة الإمارات الوطنية لرابطة أبوظبي لمحترفي الجوجيتسو، حملت معها العديد من الذكريات التي لا يمكن للأبطال نسيانها.
— UAEJJF (@uaejjf) July 9, 2023
نسدل الستار إلى أن نلقاكم قريباً#UAEJJF #JiuJitsu #AbuDhabi #day3 #Recap pic.twitter.com/J8JBn7S6yf
Mansour Al-Dhaheri, a respected board member of the UAEJJF, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship served as an exceptional platform for a distinguished group of professionals, including holders of black, brown, and purple belts, to demonstrate their exceptional skills and compete at the highest level. Furthermore, the championship revealed promising talents in the kids and youth categories, who undoubtedly represent the future of this sport.”
He further emphasized the championship’s significance for aspiring amateurs, as it presents a valuable opportunity for growth and gradual progress towards professionalism. These endeavors align perfectly with the federation’s vision of establishing a robust pool of athletes capable of achieving excellence on both local and global platforms.
The Commando Group Jiu-Jitsu Academy Abu Dhabi played a pivotal role in the tournament, showcasing their prowess with over 200 athletes participating across various categories, including the esteemed professional category.
Christian Lara, a notable coach and athlete from the Commando Academy, expressed his delight, stating, “Our team comprises a formidable group of local fighters and exceptional South American athletes who rank among the world’s best. Tournaments of this nature hold immense importance for them, as they earn crucial points that enhance their rankings and secure their participation in upcoming major events, especially the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.”
Tareq Al-Bahri, the general manager at AJP, commended the impressive turnout at the championship, remarking, “Despite being held during the summer and holiday period, we witnessed an overwhelming participation. This speaks volumes about the event’s significance, as it awards 1,000 AJP ranking points and serves as a vital preparation for forthcoming major championships, particularly the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.”
Sultan Alhosani from Al-Wahda Club, who clinched gold in the men’s brown belt professional 69 kg category, shared his thoughts on the tournament, saying, “I participated in this tournament as it presented an excellent opportunity for me to elevate my ranking and test my skills before entering upcoming international tournaments. I am thrilled to have added 1,000 points to my score and eagerly look forward to accumulating more in the days to come.”
Alhosani also revealed his plans to participate in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, firmly believing that these competitions will bring him closer to realizing his goal of attaining a coveted black belt in the sport.
In the women’s brown and black belt professional 95 kg division, Yara Kakish, an accomplished Jordanian athlete representing Entropy Jiu-Jitsu Academy, secured the gold medal.
Beaming with joy, she expressed her satisfaction, saying, “I am immensely pleased with my performance today, which is a testament to the meticulous planning and preparation I put in over the past days. My ultimate dream is to have the honor of winning the esteemed Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards, and I will wholeheartedly dedicate myself to achieving that goal.”
With the AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship leaving a lasting impression, the jiu-jitsu community eagerly anticipates the forthcoming events that will continue to fuel the passion and drive of these remarkable athletes.
