The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team has achieved an outstanding triumph at the third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship in Kazakhstan, leaving a profound mark on the international martial arts scene. Showcasing world-class athletic prowess, the UAE delegation dominated the mats at the Almaty Arena, demonstrating exactly why they are widely considered one of the most formidable Jiu-Jitsu squads in the world today.
A Spectacular Under-18 Campaign
Sponsored by the Mubadala Investment Company, the national squad continued its breathtaking run of form, specifically shining during the Under-18 division contests. The immensely talented youth roster secured an impressive 12 medals in this category alone, bringing home four gold, two silver, and six bronze medals.
These brilliant results firmly reinforce the country’s elite status among Asia’s leading martial arts powerhouses. The victories directly reflect the nation’s immense financial and structural investments in long-term athlete development. Guided by the ambitious vision of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the overarching goal remains clear: to forge successive generations of resilient athletes fully capable of competing and winning at the absolute highest continental and international levels.
Throughout the fiercely contested Under-18 brackets, the young competitors delivered stellar, tactically brilliant performances. They exhibited a maturity far beyond their years, showcasing an innate ability to accurately assess contests, dictate the physical pace of the matches, and effectively navigate bouts decided by incredibly razor-thin margins.
The Champions Who Stepped Onto the Podium
The gold medalists who proudly raised their nation’s flag included Zainab Al-Mansoori (+70kg), Saif Al Baloushi (Under 48kg), Hazza Al-Kaabi (Under 56kg), and Zayed Al-Hosani (Under 85kg). Earning well-deserved silver medals were Haneen Al-Khouri (Under 57kg) and Khalfan Al-Zaidi (Under 85kg). The bronze medal tally was fiercely claimed by Shamma Mohammed Al-Mansoori (Under 40kg), Ghala Al-Hammadi (Under 52kg), Ghanem Al-Ali (Under 52kg), Ali Al-Najjar (Under 56kg), Hamed Isa Al-Maskari, and Saif Hamad Al-Ameri (both Under 62kg).
With these Under-18 victories, the nation’s overall medal tally at the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship surged to a staggering 27 medals. This impressive total comprises seven gold, seven silver, and 13 bronze medals, building beautifully upon the team’s massive 15-medal haul in the Under-16 competition earlier in the week.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
The coaching and administrative staff were thoroughly impressed by the team’s psychological resilience. Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations, praised the structural foundation that makes these victories possible.
“The continued success of our national teams is the result of the tremendous support the UAE’s wise leadership provides to sport and its belief in the importance of investing in talent and empowering young athletes,” Al-Shamsi noted in a statement to the Federation. “The Under-18 category represents an important stage in preparing athletes to transition to elite competition. The maturity, technical ability and composure our athletes displayed against strong opponents reflect the quality of the Federation’s technical programme and the success of its long-term strategy.”
Yasser Mohammed Al-Qubaisi, Head of National Teams at the Federation, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the tactical intelligence of the squad.
“The Under-18 competition highlighted the remarkable development of our athletes and their ability to deal intelligently with the changing dynamics of each contest while maintaining concentration until the final moments,” Al-Qubaisi observed.
Voices from the Mat
For the athletes, the physical toll was matched only by their immense national pride. Gold medalist Zayed Al-Hosani reflected on the heavy expectations placed upon the competitors.
“We entered the competition with great focus, knowing that reaching the top of the podium required discipline, commitment to the coaches’ instructions and managing every moment of each contest,” he said.
Fellow champion Zainab Al-Mansoori added:
“The competition demanded complete focus, mental composure and the ability to adapt throughout each contest. Good preparation and the support of the coaching staff helped me overcome difficult challenges.”
As the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship seamlessly transitions into the Under-21 competitions this Thursday, the UAE National Team is perfectly poised to maintain its explosive momentum and add even more hardware to its historic medal tally.
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