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BANGKOK: The UAE jiu-jitsu national team kicked off its participation in the 2025 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship with an impressive haul of seven medals, including two gold, two silver and three bronze, in the boys’ U-16 category.

The tournament features competition in the U-16, U-18 and U-21 age groups and runs from Nov. 8-14.

Ali Al-Najar and Hazza Al-Kaabi won gold in the 52kg and 56kg categories, while Rakan Al-Yammahi and Ghanem Al-Ali took silver in the 44kg and 52kg divisions. Mohammed Juma Al-Darmaki, Khalfan Al-Qubaisi and Fahad Saoud Al-Dhaheri earned bronze in the 40kg, 56kg and 62kg categories, respectively, marking a strong start for the UAE team on the opening day of the championship.

Mubarak Saleh Al-Menhali, director of the technical department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the athletes on their strong performances on the opening day, saying that the results mark a promising start for the national team in this major event.

“Today’s results spotlight a new generation of athletes that embodies our vision of building a strong base of champions capable of competing at the highest levels,” he said. “These achievements are the result of our preparation programs and training camps focused on developing skill and mental discipline.”

Al-Menhali added that the national team’s performances reflect their confidence in their abilities, highlighting that investing in youth divisions is the most effective way to ensure the continued success of UAE jiu-jitsu.

Gold medalist Al-Najar commented: “Winning gold at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship has always been a dream for me. I’m proud to have raised the UAE flag on the global stage. The matches were tough, but the confidence we gained from training and the support of our coaches made all the difference. I dedicate this medal to our leadership and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for giving us everything we need to succeed. I’ll keep working hard to win more titles in the future.”

The UAE’s other gold winner Al-Kaabi said: “The competition was strong from the first match, but our focus and team spirit pushed us to give our best. Standing on the podium and hearing the UAE national anthem was an unforgettable moment.”

The championship continues on Sunday, Nov. 9, with the girls’ U-16 category.