ABU DHABI 9 April, 2017: The 9th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will return to the Ipic Arena in Zayed Sports City from Monday, 10th April to Sunday, 23rd April, 2017, according to its organisers.
For the first time, the contest will hold a dedicated Para-Jiu-Jitsu division for competitors with disabilities and special needs. This comes as part of a pledge by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, UAEJJF, of social responsibility for the Year of Giving 2017, including partnerships with other initiatives such as the “Jasadak Amana” national health initiative and the UAE Food Bank.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the tournament will welcome back the world’s elite to the widely recognised home of Jiu-Jitsu for two weeks of gripping competition, the UAEJJF said.
More than 7,000 competitors from over 100 countries will descend on Abu Dhabi to compete for world titles and a prize fund of up to AED3 million. All eyes will be on the championship, as millions of people from across the globe will tune in to watch their favourite athletes battle on the floor.
The championship will start with the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival, which will return greater than ever with new extended dates from 10th to 15th April. The festival is an opportunity for UAEJJF members and loyalty card-holders under the age of 18, as well as white belts and members of the military to compete in a professional international environment against their peers.
As part of the action, fans will experience the ultimate clash of world-class Jiu-Jitsu talent at the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Legends competition on Saturday, 22nd April. The competition will see 10 world-renowned contenders, both active and retired, compete for five gold medals.
The UAEJJF is seeking to increase the number of Jiu-Jitsu competitors to 100,000 by 2020.
– By Sports Staff