Sheikh Zayed Opens Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship

His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the grand opening of the 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The championship is taking place at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, and will run until November 22.

His Highness Sheikh Zayed watched the opening day’s competitions and personally honored several winners in the amateur category. He emphasized that this championship is a major platform for discovering new talents and creating future champions. He added that it reflects the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership in developing Jiu-Jitsu, supporting athletes, and strengthening the country’s position in international sports.

He highlighted that the growing popularity of Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE shows the important values the sport teaches to young people—such as discipline, patience, and willpower. These values, he said, help in shaping a strong generation ready to represent the nation proudly on global and continental stages.

On this special occasion, His Excellency Abdulmunem Al Sayed Mohammed Al Hashemi, President of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations and First Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and to His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He praised their continuous support and generous patronage of Jiu-Jitsu, which have made the UAE a global leader in promoting this martial art and spreading its noble values worldwide.

He further stated that the opening of the seventeenth edition by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan represents the leadership’s dedication to building a new generation of champions. These young athletes, he said, will raise the UAE’s flag high in the most prestigious international competitions. The event also mirrors the country’s vision of investing in its people and believing in their talent and capabilities.

Al Hashemi added that the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship has become an international platform that connects different cultures and inspires new talent. It also reflects the UAE’s image as a world-class sports destination known for professionalism, respect, discipline, and peace.

The 17th edition of the championship brings together more than 10,000 male and female athletes from around the world. They will compete in what is considered the largest and most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu event on the global calendar. The championship started with the amateur category and will continue with several exciting stages, including the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival.

The festival will feature competitions for children, juniors, and youth from November 13 to 15. The Para Jiu-Jitsu events will take place on November 13, followed by the junior and youth categories on November 16 and 17. The masters’ competitions are scheduled for November 18 and 19, while the grand professional matches will be held on November 20, 21, and 22.

This championship not only highlights the UAE’s leadership in the sport but also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s reputation as the global capital of Jiu-Jitsu. It continues to promote sportsmanship, unity, and international friendship—values that lie at the heart of the UAE’s approach to sports development and youth empowerment.