Post by : Maya Rahman

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, backed by Mubadala Investment Company, commenced its campaign at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025 with a stellar showing. On the opening day of the jiu-jitsu competitions, the UAE athletes secured four medals, reflecting their exceptional preparation and skill level. The contests are scheduled for November 20 and 21, featuring elite jiu-jitsu teams from both the Muslim world and beyond.

The Islamic Solidarity Games represents a prominent international multi-sport event, gathering athletes from over 50 nations to compete across various sports, with jiu-jitsu rapidly gaining popularity.

On the first day, four Emirati competitors showcased their talents: Saeed Alkubaisi in the 85kg division, Sultan Hassan in the 69kg, Abdullah Alkubaisi in the 94kg, and Shamsa Alameri in the 57kg class. Each of them put forth a strong performance, culminating in four medals for the UAE.

A standout performance came from Shamsa Alameri, who bagged the gold medal in the women's 57kg category. Her remarkable technique and focus allowed her to excel in her matches convincingly. Saeed Alkubaisi similarly showcased exceptional skill, claiming a silver medal in the 85kg class after a series of competitive bouts. Abdullah Alkubaisi and Sultan Hassan added to the medal tally with bronze finishes in their respective categories.

Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, the Technical Director at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed his pride in the team's performance, highlighting the athletes' rigorous training leading up to these games. He acknowledged that the competition was fierce, featuring top-level jiu-jitsu athletes from around the world, yet the UAE competitors displayed unwavering resolve, discipline, and technical prowess.

He noted that the team is geared up to carry forward this momentum into the second day of events. Al Menhali remains confident that the UAE athletes can accumulate more medals and demonstrate the impressive growth of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

Gold medalist Shamsa Alameri attributed her confidence to the intensive physical and technical training she undertook. She acknowledged that the preparation camps were instrumental in reaching her peak performance. Alameri expressed immense pride in representing the UAE on such a prestigious international platform, dedicating her victory to the nation's leadership and supporters.

Tomorrow marks the continuation of the jiu-jitsu competitions, with the UAE team anticipating further medal opportunities. Competing on the final day will be Khaled Al Shehhi in the 62kg, Mahdi Al Awlaqi in the 77kg, Asma Al Hosani in the 52kg, and Shamma Al Kalbani in the 63kg categories. These four athletes are prepared to build on the momentum established by the team.

With this encouraging start, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team has already proven its capabilities at the Islamic Solidarity Games. The results from the opening day reflect not only hard work and dedication but also the burgeoning jiu-jitsu culture within the UAE as the nation eagerly anticipates another day of competitive success.

#Sports News