ABU DHABI 11 September 2017: The second edition of the Ajman International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Saturday. UAE athletes won the lion’s share of gold medals during the competitions, which were held on Friday and Saturday at the Ajman Youth Centre with the participation of 434 athletes from 24 countries.
The championships were held under the patronage of Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman. Sheikh Humaid bin Ammar Al Nuaimi honoured the winners after the competition. Athletes from the UAE performed strongly, winning a total of 99 medals in the second day alone: 38 gold, 38 silver, and 23 bronze.
The second day of the Championship also saw wins by Arab athletes from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, and Yemen. Athletes from Columbia, the United States, Brazil, Philippines, Britain, South Korea, Iran, El Salvador, Russia, and India also made it onto the winners’ podium.
Sheikh Humaid lauded the organisational skills of the technical and administrative staff in delivering the Championship, according to the highest international standards, he also asserted that Ajman will continue its efforts to bolster its presence as a leading hub for Jiu-Jitsu and a destination for professional athletes, amateurs and juniors seeking to improve their skills.
Competitions’ Results
The second day results saw Ahmed Al Maazmi from Sharjah Club wining first place in the 55KG Juvenile Gi Male White Belt category, while Abdulla Al Dhaheri from Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club came in second. In the 60KG Juvenile Gi Male White Belt category, Ali Mohammed Al Rashdi from Al Wahda Club won first place, while Zayed Al Katheeri from Al Jazira Club came in second and Abdulrahman Yousif Al Besher from Mirfa Al Dhafra Club came in third place.
In the 73KG Juvenile Gi Male White Belt category, Jordanian Abdallah Bakeer from Team Gladiators won first place, with Abdelrahman Al Ketbi from Al Jazira Club finishing second. In the 81KH Blue Belt competition, Omar Al Hosani from the UAE’s Al Jazira Club won first place and Maher Al Taher from Al Wahda Club came in second, and Ali Al Menhali from the same club placed third. In the 94KH Blue Belt competition, Hadaf Al Ahbabi from Baniyas Club won first place and Ibrahim Al Tamimi from Al Wahda Club came in second.
Mohammed Al Shehi from Al Ain Club won first place in the 100KG Master 1 Blue Belt competition, and in the 100KG Adult Purple Belt competition, Sultan Al Ali from Al Jazira Club came in first and Hamdan Ahmed Al Blooshi from Al Ain Club came in second. Mohammed Salem Al Shamsi from Emirates Club came in first in the 110KG Master 1 Purple Belt competition.
Brazilian athletes Priscila Cerqueira from the Emirates team won first place in the 90KG Female Gi Adult Brown / Black Belt competition, Murilo came in first in the 110KG Male Gi Adult Brown Belt competition, Paulo Pinto won gold in the 110KG Master 1 Black Belt competition, Breno Lima from Al Ain Club won first place in the 77KG Master 2 Black Belt competition, and Alexandre Rotundo won gold in the 110KG Master Black Belt category.
Strong Participation by Clubs
The Championship witnessed a significant increase in participation rates as it attracted many sports clubs including Al Jazira Club, Al Ain Club, Al Wahda Club, Ajman Club, and Emirates Club. All participating athletes from white belt holders to black belt holders, are registered as members of the UAEJFF for the 2017-2018 sports season.
The Ajman Championship is part of the 2016-2017 schedule for the UAEJFF and its global rankings, and part of the qualifiers for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
The UAEJFF lauded the support provided by the Championship’s sponsors, including Mubadala Investment, Abu Dhabi Media, Etihad Airways, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Palms Sports, Emirates Global Aluminum, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Aafaq Islamic Finance, Lausanne Fashion, Al Khaja Holding, Diamond Sword, and United Al Saqer Group.
Upcoming Competitions
The UAEJFF is currently preparing to launch the Mother of UAE Championship for girls and women on 29 September which will be held at the IPIC Arena in Zayed Sports City, while the national team is making the final preparations for Asian Indoor Games in Turkmenistan
In October, the Al Ain International Junior Championship will take place. The championship will be held on 13-14 October, and the Al Ain International Pro Championship on the 20th and 21st of the same month.
In November, there are four tournaments scheduled to take place. The second round of Mother of the UAE Championship will be held on 3 November , while the second round of the President Cup for clubs will be held on 4 November, and the Martyr Championship will be held on the 23rd and 24th respectively.
In December, the Dubai International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship will be held on the 8th and 9th, and the third round of the President Cup will be held on the 23rd.