The United Arab Emirates concluded the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship on a triumphant note, with the national team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, securing world titles in both the Adult and Under-21 Newaza divisions. The nine-day tournament, held at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, showcased the elite talent of over 1,500 athletes from across the globe who competed in various age groups and disciplines.
The host nation enjoyed a highly successful campaign on home soil, amassing a total of 65 medals, which included 18 gold, 17 silver, and 30 bronze. The Adult Team delivered a standout performance, not only winning the Newaza world title but also finishing at the top of the overall Adult standings across all disciplines, including Contact Jiu-Jitsu, Fighting, Duo, and Show, despite the UAE focusing its participation exclusively on the Newaza category.
The Under-21 squad further solidified the host nation’s dominance by securing their own world title in the Newaza competition. This achievement highlights the depth of the UAE’s next generation of athletes and demonstrates their effective progression toward the senior national team ranks. The championship officially concluded on Sunday with the Para Jiu-Jitsu and team competitions, drawing attendance from high-profile officials including Panagiotis Theodoropoulos, President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, and Fouad Darwish, CEO of Palms Sports.
Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, attributed the success to the unwavering support of the nation’s leadership. He stated, “Jiu-jitsu in the UAE continues to grow thanks to the great support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Alhashmi noted, “Winning the world titles in both the Adult and Under-21 divisions, as well as finishing top of the overall Adult standings, shows the progress our athletes have made. These achievements are the result of our leadership’s strong belief in sport and its role in developing people, discovering talent and creating champions.” He further expressed gratitude to Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage, which was instrumental in the event’s success and reinforced Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a premier host for international sporting events.
Individual athletes also shared their perspectives on the victory. Omar Al Fadhli, who claimed gold in the Adult Under-69kg category, remarked, “I am proud that my gold medal was part of a great achievement for the whole team. At a World Championship, you cannot think only about winning. You have to stay focused and know how to deal with every moment and every opponent. This gold medal shows how much I have learned from the experience I have gained over the years. It also gives me more responsibility to keep improving and achieve more for the UAE.”
Asma Al Hosani, the Adult Under-52kg gold medallist, emphasized the emotional significance of the victory, stating, “Competing at home in the UAE is always special. When you reach the final, you know that all the training and hard work have paid off.” Her sentiment was echoed by Under-21 Under-56kg gold medallist Abdulrahman Mohammed, who noted, “Winning a world title at this stage of my career gives me great motivation for the next step. This gold medal is an important step for me and something I can build on. I know the level will be higher and the challenges will be tougher in the future.”
Al Anoud Al Harbi, who secured gold in the Under-21 Under-48kg division, attributed the team’s ongoing success to the rigorous environment within the national camp. “One of the main reasons we continue to improve is the strong competition we have in training every day,” she explained. The event concluded with a formal medal ceremony attended by dignitaries including Saed Hijazi Salameh, General Manager Sales at Premier Motors, and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, marking the end of a historic tournament for the host nation.
Al Anoud Al Harbi, the under-21 under-48 kg gold medallist, said: “One of the main reasons we continue to improve is the strong competition we have in training every day.
He added that the successful organisation of the championship reflected Abu Dhabi’s experience in hosting world-class events and providing the best possible conditions for athletes and participating teams.
My focus was on following the plan, doing what I had trained for and staying calm.
My goal is to move into the adult division, ready to compete at the highest level from the beginning.
We always push each other to perform better.
