ULAANBAATAR: Members of the UAE national jiu-jitsu team have successfully completed the official weigh-in procedures ahead of the three-day World Jiu-Jitsu Championship set to begin Tuesday.
The male and female athletes, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, are aiming to secure their fourth consecutive title at the event that features an international field of 500 fighters from 43 countries, competing in various weight categories.
The team’s technical staffers have been overseeing the athletes’ final morning and afternoon training sessions focused on various tactical, psychological and mental preparations. The staff had also ensured that the athletes made weight to gain entry into the 28th edition of the competition.
The tournament will commence today with fights in the 85 kg and 94 kg categories for men, and the 45 kg, 70 kg and over 70 kg categories for women. Saeed Alkubaisi, Saif Alhimani, Abdulla Alkubaisi, Faisal Alketbi, Balqees Alhashmi and Aysha Alshamsi will compete on Tuesday. This edition of the championship is limited to adult participants and is one of the largest and most prestigious events in the sport.
On Wednesday, July 19, there will be competitions held for men in the weight categories of 62 kg, 69 kg and over 94 kg. For women, the weight categories will be 52 kg and 57 kg. The following national team players will participate: Khaled Alshehi, Khaled Alblooshi, Mohamed Alsuwaidi, Sultan Jabr, Ammar Alhosani, Hazza Farhan, Hessa Alshamsi, Shamsa Al-Amri and Haya Alajhoori.
The competition will conclude on Thursday, July 20, with contests in the weight categories of 56 kg and 77 kg for men, and 48 kg and 63 kg for women. Omar Al-Suwaidi, Theyab Alnuaimi, Mahdi Alawlaqi, Faraj Alawlaqi, Hamda Alshekeili, Sara Alhamadi, and Shamma Al-Kalbani will participate.
Mohammed Salem Al-Dhaheri, deputy chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “We firmly believe in their ability to achieve exceptional results by defending their title and maintaining their dominance at the global level. Their robust preparation program, which includes participation in local championships, internal training camps, and an extensive external camp in Sweden, combined with their previous achievements on numerous occasions, has positioned them well for success.”
Meanwhile, Faisal Alketbi, one of the UAE’s top fighters and competing in the 94 kg category, said: “We have meticulously prepared for this prestigious international event and are determined to deliver a performance that will make our nation proud and help us retain the title.”
“The athletes of the national team have exerted double the effort over the past few weeks, enabling us to reach peak levels of concentration. The coaching staff, led by Ramon Lemos, has provided us with insights into the strategies of potential opponents and the most effective ways to overcome them.”
Aysha Alshamsi, competing in the 45 kg category, also expressed confidence, ahead of her participation.
“We take immense pride in representing the national team at the world championship, and we are committed to giving our all to uphold our country’s honor and stand on the podium,” she said.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the wise leadership, which wholeheartedly supports female athletes in nurturing their talents, enabling them to achieve remarkable feats,” Alshamsi added. “We promise the leadership and the people of the UAE that we will always strive to deliver the best results and showcase our commitment to our homeland and its leaders by securing the championship title.”
