UAE U16 Jiu-Jitsu Stars Win 11 Medals at World Championship

The UAE U16 jiu-jitsu national team, supported by Mubadala Investment Company, made an outstanding start at the 2025 World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The championship, which runs from 8th to 14th November, saw the young Emirati athletes deliver strong performances that earned them wide praise and respect.

Their total medal tally reached 11 after two days of intense competition, confirming the UAE’s growing strength in youth jiu-jitsu. The event brought together hundreds of young athletes from around the world, all competing to showcase their skills and sportsmanship.

The UAE’s U16 girls’ team added four new medals to the country’s record on Saturday. They won one silver and three bronze medals, demonstrating both technical strength and mental toughness in their matches.

Sara Farook captured the silver medal in the 48 kg category after an impressive performance through several tough rounds. In the 36 kg division, Mathail Alhammadi and Ghaiaheb Alrashdi secured bronze medals, while Maitha Alkarbi added another bronze in the 40 kg division.

With these victories, the UAE’s total medal count in the U16 category reached 11, which includes two gold, three silver, and six bronze medals. The young athletes’ dedication reflected their strong preparation and team spirit.

The UAE boys’ team had earlier set the stage for success with seven medals on the opening day. Their performances built early momentum for the national side and gave the girls’ team great motivation to follow up with more wins.

The combined results of both teams underline the UAE’s balanced development in male and female categories and highlight the federation’s commitment to giving equal opportunities to young athletes.

Abdulla Al Zaabi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the impressive progress made by the Emirati girls. He said their confidence and discipline showed how far women’s jiu-jitsu has developed in the UAE under the guidance of the nation’s leadership.

He stated, “This strong start gives us great motivation to maintain our momentum in the under-18 and under-21 categories and to increase our medal tally further. It also reinforces the UAE’s standing among the leading jiu-jitsu nations on the world stage.”

Silver medalist Sara Farook shared her excitement after standing on the championship podium. She said, “Winning silver at the World Championship is a dream come true. The matches were tough, but with the support of my teammates and coaches, I stayed focused. I’m proud to represent the UAE and will continue to train hard to win gold next time.”

Her words reflected the determination of the entire team and the culture of excellence that the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation encourages in its young athletes.

The strong performance of the UAE team is part of a broader national effort to promote jiu-jitsu as a key sport that builds discipline, strength, and confidence among youth. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation continues to invest in training programs, international exposure, and professional coaching to prepare young athletes for global competition.

This championship also highlights the country’s long-term investment in sports diplomacy and youth empowerment, where every victory adds to the UAE’s growing reputation as a global hub for martial arts excellence.

The championship will continue until 14th November, with the U18 and U21 categories set to compete next. The UAE national team remains determined to add more medals and strengthen its position among the top jiu-jitsu nations.

With strong performances and growing confidence, the young Emiratis are expected to continue their medal-winning momentum, inspiring the next generation of athletes in the UAE.