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ABU DHABI: The second edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday here at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club crowned champions in the Gi category and Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club taking the No-Gi title.

The three-day final round had the record participation of more than 2,500 athletes competing from 11 to 17 years of age, adults, and masters.

Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club were crowned Best Academy – Gi (Season 2025), followed by Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club in second place and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

In the No-Gi division, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club claimed first place, with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club and M.O.D UAE finishing second and third respectively.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “What has been achieved over eight rounds reflects the clear vision and the limitless  support of our wise leadership for the sports sector, as well as the tremendous efforts of clubs and academies to elevate the level of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

“This championship has evolved into a national platform for shaping future champions and reinforcing the country’s leadership in the sport. It is an honor today to celebrate the talents who form the foundation for future success stories, God willing.”

A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
On Sunday, Ghana became the fifth African nation to qualify. The 2010 quarterfinalist joins Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia at next year’s tournament.
Forty-three teams will get their spots through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.
The breakdown
Asia will have eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.
Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.

North and Central America and the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.
South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.
Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.
Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the World Cup.
ALREADY QUALIFIED

North America

• United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified automatically as hosts)

Africa

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Morocco
• Tunisia

Asia

• Australia
• Iran
• Japan
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan

Oceania

• New Zealand

South America

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Uruguay