Al Wahda clinches its third straight President’s Cup title as Hamdan honours the winners in Abu Dhabi….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Al Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Club secured its third consecutive Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup title in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, continuing its dominance of one of the UAE’s leading domestic competitions. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club finished second, while Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club claimed third place after a day of closely contested matches featuring leading athletes from across the country.
Held at Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, the one-day championship was organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, bringing together athletes in the Adults and Under-21 categories. The competition tested technical ability, tactical awareness and composure, with competitors from clubs and academies vying for the prestigious title.
Al Wahda entered the championship seeking to retain the trophy after winning the previous two editions. The club delivered another successful performance to maintain its winning streak, finishing ahead of Baniyas and Al Ain in the overall standings. Al Jazira was also among the clubs competing for the title.
The championship featured an open-belt format, allowing athletes of different belt ranks to compete against one another. The format placed emphasis on adaptability, requiring participants to assess their opponents’ strengths, select appropriate techniques and make decisions under pressure.
The event also provided an opportunity for coaches and officials to evaluate athletes’ readiness, identify areas for improvement and assess potential candidates for national team selection.
Hamdan attends championship and honours athletes
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, attended the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup competitions and presented awards to several winning athletes.
Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the athletes on their achievements and wished them continued success in upcoming competitions as they work to develop their skills and achieve further sporting accomplishments.
He highlighted the championship’s role in strengthening athletes’ capabilities, improving their technical standards and promoting competition among clubs and academies. The event also supports efforts to nurture Emirati sporting talent and prepare athletes to represent the UAE at continental and international competitions.
Sheikh Hamdan commended the organisers and sponsors for helping provide a competitive environment that supports athlete development and contributes to the continued growth of jiu-jitsu across the country.
Following the awards ceremony, he posed for group photographs with athletes and representatives of the winning clubs and academies.
The ceremony was also attended by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union and Senior Vice President of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation; Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the federation; and federation board members Yousef Abdullah Al Batran and Humaid Mohammed Al Ketbi, alongside sports officials, sponsors and representatives of participating clubs.
Al Wahda credits preparation for success
Ubaid Miftah Al Muhrazi, Chairman of Al Wahda Sports Games Company, said the club was delighted to secure the title for the third consecutive time, describing the achievement as a reflection of the work invested in preparing its athletes.
“We are delighted to win this special title for the third time in a row. It reflects the work the club has put into preparing our athletes and making sure they were fully ready for the championship.
“We also benefited from the experience many of our athletes have gained competing with the national team. That experience helped them perform better and contributed to this success.”
The club’s success highlighted the importance of consistent preparation and experience in high-level competition. Athletes with national team exposure were able to draw on their experience in managing matches and responding to different competitive styles.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said the President’s Cup held particular significance because it carried the President’s name and represented an important title on the national sporting calendar.
“The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup holds a special place among our domestic competitions because it carries the President’s name and has great national importance. This motivates clubs and athletes to give their best and compete for one of the country’s most important jiu-jitsu titles.
“The matches showed the high standard of UAE jiu-jitsu and the work clubs and academies have put into preparing their athletes. Winning takes more than technical skills. Athletes must manage their matches well, read their opponents’ movements and make the right decisions at key moments. These are skills we work to develop as we prepare athletes for future competitions.”
Al Batran added that regular domestic competitions played an important role in improving athletes’ abilities and helping coaches assess their progress. Such events also allow clubs to identify weaknesses, refine training programmes and prepare competitors for the demands of international tournaments.
He said competition among clubs was essential to the continued development of the sport in the UAE, with domestic events creating opportunities for athletes to gain experience and progress towards national team selection.
“The ages of 18–21 mark an important stage in an athlete’s development. As athletes move to higher levels of competition, following a game plan and handling pressure become increasingly important. The open-belt format gave athletes a chance to test how much their skills had improved and how well they could use them against different styles.”
Building a pathway to international competition
The President’s Cup remains an important fixture in the UAE’s domestic jiu-jitsu calendar, bringing clubs and academies together while providing a platform to assess emerging talent.
The Under-21 category is particularly significant in helping athletes transition towards higher levels of competition. At this stage, technical development must be accompanied by tactical discipline, match management and the ability to perform under pressure.
The open-belt format further challenges competitors to adapt to opponents with different levels of experience and technical approaches. For coaches, the matches offer insights into athletes’ strengths and areas requiring further development.
The championship also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position in international jiu-jitsu. Continued investment in domestic competitions, athlete development and training programmes has helped expand opportunities for competitors to progress through the sport.
Support from the UAE’s leadership, alongside the work of the federation, clubs, coaches and sponsors, has contributed to the sport’s growing profile in the country.
For Al Wahda, the third consecutive President’s Cup title marks another milestone in its domestic campaign. For the participating clubs and athletes, the competition offered an opportunity to measure progress, gain valuable experience and build towards future national, continental and international challenges.
