UAE Jiu-Jitsu Team Wins Eight Medals at Riyadh Games

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, supported by Mubadala Investment Company, finished its journey at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with an excellent performance. The team collected a total of eight medals, including four gold, two silver, and two bronze. Their strong showing on the second and final day of competition helped them finish at the top of the medal table in jiu-jitsu.

The last day of the event brought together athletes from some of the most competitive national teams in the region. Still, the UAE athletes proved their strength and preparation. Khaled Al Shehhi opened the medal run by winning gold in the 62kg division. Soon after, Shamma Al Kalbani continued the winning streak by securing gold in the 63kg category. Another gold medal was added by Asma Al Hosani in the 52kg division. Mahdi Al Awlaqi also delivered a strong performance, earning a silver medal in the 77kg category.

The UAE team completed the Games by taking first place overall, ahead of Kazakhstan in second place and Saudi Arabia in third. One remarkable achievement for the UAE was that all eight of its participating athletes reached the podium, giving the team a perfect record. This success reflects the solid preparation of the athletes and the strong support system behind them.

According to team officials, this achievement shows the high level of training programmes and the strong teamwork between athletes and coaches. Months of disciplined practice and strategic planning played a major role in helping the UAE secure these medals.

Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and a senior leader in multiple international jiu-jitsu bodies, praised the team for their outstanding performance. He said that the success of Emirati jiu-jitsu is now visible worldwide and credited the support of the country’s leadership for building a strong foundation. He added that the achievements across the Asian Youth Games, the World Championship in Thailand, and now the Islamic Solidarity Games show how well the UAE system works as one team.

He also highlighted the importance of families, clubs, and the federation’s partners in supporting the athletes. Their discipline and commitment, he said, help the athletes represent the UAE with pride and excellence. He further appreciated the efforts of the technical, medical, and administrative staff, who work together closely to help the athletes perform their best.

Head Coach Helder Medeiros also expressed his happiness with the team’s performance. He said the results prove how much the athletes have improved in recent months. Their focus, discipline, and competitive spirit helped them perform strongly against experienced opponents. He added that the UAE team has now shown strength at both continental and international levels, especially after their recent success at the JJIF World Championships in Thailand.

Gold medallist Khaled Al Shehhi spoke about the importance of teamwork in achieving success. He said that his medal was not just his own achievement, but the result of the entire team working together. In jiu-jitsu, no athlete can improve alone, he explained. Entering the championship, he felt a responsibility to represent the UAE and show the hard work put in by the whole team. The results, he said, reflect their unity and motivate them to continue pushing forward in future competitions.

The UAE team’s performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games once again highlighted their rising strength in the sport. With eight medals, strong teamwork, and impressive improvement, they have set a high standard for upcoming events and strengthened their reputation across the region.