UAE jiu-jitsu team clinch three medals at World Games Chengdu
Saeed Al Kubaisi claimed gold in the under-85kg division after a series of strong bouts against opponents from Portugal, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Mehdi Al Awlaki won silver in the under-77kg division, while Mohammed Al Suwaidi earned silver in the under-69kg division.
Considered a global showpiece for sports yet to be included in the Olympic Games, the 12th edition of the World Games, which runs in the Chinese city from Aug. 7 to 17, 2025, features nearly 5,000 athletes from 118 countries competing across 34 sports, making it one of the most prominent international sporting events.
Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: 'Jiu-jitsu in the UAE has proven its excellence and its ability to succeed at every opportunity, supported by the sport's continued growth and the achievements of our national team on both continental and global stages.
'Our athletes have consistently made the nation proud in regional and international arenas, and today's result is even more significant given the presence of top-ranked competitors from around the world. This success is the result of the Federation's ongoing efforts and initiatives to prepare our athletes to perform at the highest level.'
Gold medallist Kubaisi said: 'I entered the championship confident in my ability to win gold, as it's the natural result of the hard work and intensive training we've put in over recent months.
'I want to thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the support they have given us, helping us reach this stage and make our mark at a global event of this scale.'
Awlaki said: 'The final was tough, but I never gave up and kept pushing until the last second because my goal was gold. I'm happy to take silver in such an important championship, and I'm confident there is more to come.'
Tomorrow, Emirati athletes will compete in the open weight division, with Mehdi Al Awlaki, Saeed Al Kubaisi, and Mohammed Al Suwaidi in the men's category, and Asma Alhosani, Shamsa Al Amri, and Shamma Al Kalbani in the women's category.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Abu Dhabi jiu-jitsu event begins on Aug.16 in Dubai
The fifth round of the Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, dedicated to no-gi competitions, will take place from Aug. 16-17, 2025 at Al Nasr Club in Dubai, with the participation of nearly 1,000 male athletes from clubs and academies across the UAE. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the round will feature high-level contests across all divisions. The first day will host matches in the under-12, under-14, and under-16 categories, while the second day will see the under-18, adult, and master divisions competitions take place. The championship continues to draw elite athletes and promising talents, offering a professional environment that raises athletes' technical performance levels, and cements the event as a leading sports platform in the nation. Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed that the second edition of the championship serves as a leading model for talent development and building champions of the future. He noted that no-gi competitions highlight new aspects of athletes' skills and encourage them to adopt innovative and diverse techniques during matches, supporting the federation's efforts to develop and refine their abilities. The category presents a unique challenge distinct from traditional no-gi competitions, relying more heavily on speed, physical fitness and tactical skill, which enriches the audience experience and gives the event a dynamic, exciting character. He said: 'Since its inception, the championship, which bears a name close to our hearts, has contributed to nurturing strong generations both mentally and physically. It has been a significant step in the journey of developing jiu-jitsu in the UAE and elevating it to new heights of excellence. 'The championship attracts all segments of society, from athletes and their families to jiu-jitsu fans, in an interactive environment that strengthens community bonds and promotes the core values of jiu-jitsu, such as commitment, discipline and teamwork. It also reinforces the importance of sport as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.' Meanwhile, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team on Tuesday closed their campaign at the World Games Chengdu 2025 with a total of four medals, following Mohammed Al Suwaidi's bronze in the men's open weight division on the final day of their competition. Al Suwaidi, who had already secured silver in the men's 69 kg division on Monday, added to the UAE's tally, which now stands at one gold, two silver, and one bronze. The UAE's four medals at this major global event came courtesy of Saeed Al Kubaisi, who won gold in the men's -85kg division; Mehdi Al Awlaki, who took silver in the men's -77kg category; and Mohammed Al Suwaidi, who earned silver in the -69kg division and bronze in the open weight competition. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, 'We are proud of the performance of our athletes at the World Games, where they faced some of the biggest names in jiu-jitsu on the international stage.
TAG 91.1
7 hours ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE firefighters begin operations to combat Albania wildfires
The UAE firefighting team began its mission to extinguish fires in Albania, targeting affected areas including Petrela and Gramsh on Tuesday. Despite challenging weather conditions, helicopters covered several other wildfire locations, with the Emirati crews using advanced and modern equipment to combat the unprecedented fires. UAE firefighting team begins operations to combat Albania wildfires #WamNews — WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 12, 2025 Several Albanian officials participating in the operation praised the UAE's swift response in extinguishing the fires, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and the positive contribution of the participating team. The team arrived on Monday with qualified personnel for the operations, along with helicopters, equipment, and necessary firefighting materials. The operations are held under directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support the ongoing climate challenges in Albania.
Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Fifth round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Dubai
13 Aug 2025 00:20 DUBAI (WAM)The fifth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, dedicated to no-gi competitions, will take place on August 16 and 17 at Al Nasr Club in Dubai, with the participation of nearly 1,000 male athletes from clubs and academies across the by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the round will feature high-level contests across all divisions. The first day will host matches in the under-12, under-14, and under-16 categories, while the second day will see the under-18, adult, and master divisions competitions take Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said that no-gi competitions highlight new aspects of athletes' skills and encourage them to adopt innovative and diverse techniques during matches, supporting the federation's efforts to develop and refine their category presents a unique challenge distinct from traditional gi competitions, relying more heavily on speed, physical fitness and tactical skill, which enriches the audience experience and gives the event a dynamic, exciting character. He added: 'Since its inception, the championship, which bears a name close to our hearts, has contributed to nurturing strong generations both mentally and physically. It has been a significant step in the journey of developing jiu-jitsu in the UAE and elevating it to new heights of excellence.'
