ABU DHABI: Some of the planet鈥檚 top grapplers will compete at the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship from Nov. 1 to 10 at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

The event will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has announced that a record 7,000 male and female athletes from 127 countries will participate, including several champions. Competitors will vie for a total prize purse of almost $817,000.

鈥淭oday, we celebrate 15 years of success and excellence that have significantly elevated the global jiu-jitsu landscape,鈥� said Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and chairman of the organizing committee.

鈥淲e are excited to extend a warm welcome to the international jiu-jitsu community in the UAE and the world鈥檚 jiu-jitsu capital, Abu Dhabi. Our commitment is to ensure that everyone enjoys the finest possible experience, from their arrival in the capital to their departure after the tournament鈥檚 conclusion.鈥�

Al-Dhaheri added: 鈥淲e also unite in pride for the remarkable accomplishments of UAE athletes in numerous international championships held in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, 黑料社区, Thailand, and China. We take pride in the triumphs of our champions, in whom we placed our trust, and who rose to the challenge.

鈥淭hese achievements stand as a testament to the fact that the seeds of success sown by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the UAE, have flourished, borne fruit, and blossomed worldwide. Without his highness鈥� unwavering support, the sport of jiu-jitsu would not have made such rapid advancements on the global stage.鈥�

Saood Abdulaziz Al-Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism 鈥� Abu Dhabi, said: 鈥淎bu Dhabi continues to consolidate its position as the world capital of jiu-jitsu by hosting the largest international championships and attracting elite sports stars from all over the world.鈥�

鈥淭he Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi deeply comprehends the immense significance and outcomes of hosting an event as grand as the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, particularly in relation to its positive influence on society.

鈥淪chools in the UAE have wholeheartedly embraced jiu-jitsu for over 15 years, with the goal of instilling a comprehensive set of moral and athletic values in an entire generation. These values include self-confidence, humility, respect, commitment and goalsetting, while simultaneously playing a vital role in shaping resilient and competent generations that prioritize health and physical fitness.鈥�

Aref Al-Awani, secretary-general of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: 鈥淭he Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a significant extension of the plans and programs designed to attract major international sporting events to the capital.

鈥淲e extend our congratulations to the UAE National Team for their remarkable achievements in recent championships, particularly the Asian Games. We also commend the efforts of the UAEJJF, which, since its inception, has been dedicated to advancing and popularizing the sport and expanding its practitioner base. We are fully committed to ensuring the success of this edition.鈥�

Fahad Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE and Asian jiu-jitsu federations, said: 鈥淭he 15th edition of the championship witnessed a record-breaking level of participation, with an unprecedented number of players from across the globe, representing a 40 percent increase compared to the previous year.

鈥淭his tournament has reached its highest participant count since its establishment in 2009, with 7,000 athletes hailing from 127 countries all set to participate. To accommodate this remarkable turnout, the tournament鈥檚 duration has been extended to span over 10 days. Additionally, a full day has been allocated for amateur-category competitions.鈥�