ABU DHABI // If there is one over-arching narrative to come out of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Challenge Championship (UAEJJF), it is that the future of the sport in the Emirates is bright.
The championship, which was organised over the weekend at the Ipic Arena, drew more than 1,500 girls and boys across various age and weight categories.
Children from ages five to 17 took part at the event, which included more than 160 finals and served as a grand finale following qualification events held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
Among them were UAE national team junior competitors Humaid Al Kaabi, who won the juvenile blue belt (73 kilogram) and Khalid Eskander Al Taher, who took the juvenile blue-belt gold medal (60kg) in the boy’s division.
Wadima Al Yafei, the first Emirati female to win a medal — a bronze — at the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam last September, claimed the juvenile blue belt title (48kg).
Mahra Al Hanaei (juvenile blue 52kg) and Bashayer Al Matroosi (juvenile blue 63kg) were other members of the UAE national junior female squad to emerge winners.
“We have witnessed spectacular skill and performances from budding jiu-jitsu stars from across the country,” Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, the chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said.
“The tremendous amount of talent on display is very emboldening for us as we gear up for upcoming regional and world championships, and as the federation strives to further develop the sport in the country.
“We are also pleased to see so many parents in attendance despite their busy schedules, to share the passion for the sport and witness their children’s very best moves on the mats.”
Indeed, the parents were invited to award medals as part of the initiative to involve them in the sport.
“It was very heartening to see the parents award the medals to their own children as they won in the different categories as part of our ‘Award Your Son’ initiative,” Al Hashmi said.
“While this gives them the opportunity to see the glory of their young champions as they prepare for future tournaments, this also allows them to record a cherished moment as a keepsake for the entire family.”
Shamma Al Balushi from Al Ain, who competed in the yellow belt 48kg weight and won a bronze medal, was even prepared to promote the sport on behalf of the UAEJJF.
“I would advise all of my colleagues take up jiu-jitsu,” she said. “This sport makes one self-confident aside from keeping you fit and in good shape.
“It also plays an important role in self-defence and building sportsmanship.”
Karim Murad, Shamma’s father, added: “The reason I encourage parents to let their children take up this sport is partly because of its benefits.
“It increases harmony between body movements, mental thinking and behaviour which I noticed through all of my daughters as they became even more disciplined in their everyday life.”
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