Emirati women shine at 2026 Jiu‑Jitsu World Championships in Abu Dhabi

At the 2026 Jiu‑Jitsu World Championships in Abu Dhabi, Asma Al Hosani, Shamma Al Kalbani and Balqees Al Hashmi claimed senior golds as Emirati women build on recent continental and global success.

Golds on home mat

Emirati women continued to assert themselves on the global jiu‑jitsu stage at the 2026 Jiu‑Jitsu World Championships held in Abu Dhabi. Asma Al Hosani, Shamma Al Kalbani and Balqees Al Hashmi each won senior gold medals in their respective weight classes — 52kg, 63kg and 48kg — adding to a growing list of international honours for UAE female athletes.

The victories in Abu Dhabi follow earlier milestones for the same generation of competitors. Al Hosani and Al Kalbani both stood atop the podium at the Hangzhou Asian Games, and Mahra Al Hanaei won silver at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Taken together, these results underline a pattern of sustained progress for Emirati women in the sport.

Momentum ahead of Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games

Attention now turns to the 20th Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from 19 September to 4 October 2026, where the UAE women’s national team will aim to convert their recent form into further continental success. The Abu Dhabi world titles give the squad competitive momentum and raise expectations as they prepare to represent the country in Japan.

Success at a world championship staged in Abu Dhabi carries particular significance: it highlights the emirate’s role as a host of major jiu‑jitsu events and offers athletes the advantage of competing on familiar ground before an international field. For the athletes themselves, the Abu Dhabi triumphs represent both individual achievement and the wider development of women’s competitive sport in the UAE.

A continuing rise

Federation officials and coaches have pointed to a new generation of Emirati talent producing consistent results across regional and global events. The recent gold medals are the latest tangible outcome of that trend, demonstrating that Emirati women are translating domestic investment and attention into podium finishes against top international opponents.

As the national team turns its focus to Aichi‑Nagoya, the Abu Dhabi world titles will serve as a benchmark and source of confidence. The results also contribute to the broader narrative of women’s sport in the UAE progressing steadily on the international stage.

Source: WAM