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Arab News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Baniyas impress on opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club seized an early lead on the first day of the fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which was held on Friday at Zayed Sports City's Mubadala Arena. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation-organized event drew strong competition from local clubs, with competitors across youth, adult, and master divisions. Al-Jazira claimed second place, while MOD UAE rounded out the top three. Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAEJJF, praised the generosity of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, in doubling the championship's prize money. He said the move reflected the UAE leadership's commitment to the development of top-level sports, especially jiu-jitsu, which has become the country's national sport. Al-Batran said: 'The fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is especially important. It marks a key moment in the competition and gives us a chance to evaluate club performances and how well the athletes are prepared to continue their success in the upcoming stages.' Jasem Al-Marzooqi, the CEO of the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center, who was attending the event, affirmed that the strong organization of the event reflected the UAE's ambition to position itself as a leading global sports destination. He said: 'The championship is progressing with every round. Both the technical and organizational levels show how successful the overall system is, giving athletes the ideal environment to grow and excel.' Igor Lacerda, the coach of the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club's youth team, said: 'This round once again confirms the incredible progress the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is making across the board. It gave us as coaches extra motivation. 'We focused our preparations on the mental and tactical aspects, and we are working to make the best use of our athletes' capabilities. From the start of the season our goal has been clear: to strongly compete for the title. We believe this path requires consistent performance and discipline.' Bouchaib El-Idrissi of Morocco, who was representing Baniyas, took gold in the men's masters' brown/black belt 62 kg division, and said: 'This achievement means a lot to me, especially since I faced an opponent in the final who was 20 years younger. 'This championship is a unique platform for athletes of all ages to showcase their talent and chase their goals. I sincerely thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the organizers for the tremendous effort they put into delivering such a professional event and creating a competitive environment that matches our ambitions and pushes us to give our best.'
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Baniyas dominate on Day 1 of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
The energy was electric and the stakes higher than ever as the fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship roared to life on Friday at Zayed Sports City's Mubadala Arena. On a day defined by grit and willpower, it was Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club who stole the show, topping the leaderboard after a stellar performance across divisions. In a championship that showcased fighters brimming with ambition, Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club came in a close second, with the rising force M.O.D UAE securing third place. The event, hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), brought together a passionate mix of youth, adult, and master-class athletes competing for podium glory and valuable ranking points. Prize Money Doubled A key talking point was the championship's doubled prize pool, thanks to the visionary directive from Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The move not only enhances competitiveness but also reflects the nation's deepening investment in jiu-jitsu as the UAE's national sport. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the generous directive from Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to double the championship's prize money. He said this move reflects the UAE leadership's commitment to the development of top-level sports, especially jiu-jitsu, which has become the country's national sport. 'The fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is especially important,: he said. "It marks a key moment in the competition and gives us a chance to evaluate club performances and how well the athletes are prepared to continue their success in the upcoming stages.' Jasem Al Marzooqi, CEO of AMMROC, stated that the strong organisation and professional level of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflect the leadership's ambition to position the UAE as a leading global sports destination. 'The championship is progressing with every round. Both the technical and organisational levels show how successful the overall system is, giving athletes the ideal environment to grow and excel," he said. Heart of a Champion One of the day's standout performances came from Bouchaib Elidrissi, the Moroccan master representing Baniyas, who clinched gold in the Men's Masters Brown/Black Belt –62kg division. "This achievement means a lot to me, especially since I faced an opponent in the final who was 20 years younger," he said., "This championship is a unique platform for athletes of all ages to showcase their talent and chase their goals. "I sincerely thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the organisers for the tremendous effort they put into delivering such a professional event and creating a competitive environment that matches our ambitions and pushes us to give our best.' Coaches Step Up Igor Lacerda, head coach of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, said preparation for this round went beyond physical training. 'We focused on mindset and tactical flexibility. Winning championships isn't about one weekend – it's about consistency across every round.' As the championship unfolds over multiple rounds, each event brings clubs and athletes one step closer to season glory.
