Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro to Host Three International Championships Across Three Continents
The Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro expands its global championship calendar with simultaneous events in Romania, South Africa and Russia, reinforcing the emirate's position as an international centre of excellence for the sport.
The Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro will orchestrate three distinguished international championships across three continents on 24th and 25th October, a remarkable demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to elevating jiu-jitsu on the world stage. These concurrent events form part of an expansive global calendar encompassing more than 280 championships annually, strategically designed to nurture talent, develop champions and strengthen the framework for professionalism in international competition.
The championship programme comprises the AJP Tour Targu Mures International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 in Romania, scheduled for Friday, alongside the AJP Tour South Africa National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 and the AJP Tour Saint Petersburg International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 in Russia, both taking place on Saturday. Each championship will feature both Gi and No-Gi competitions, welcoming participants of all nationalities, belt levels and age groups, from children and youth through to amateurs, professionals and masters.
The ranking implications reflect the prestige of each event. Both the Targu Mures and Saint Petersburg championships will award 600 points in the AJP’s annual world rankings to first-place winners, whilst the South Africa National Championship confers 1,000 ranking points to its champion, reflecting its status as an officially recognised national championship. The South Africa event further distinguishes itself by offering a special cash prize to the highest-performing academy, contingent upon representation by a minimum of 20 athletes.
The AJP world ranking system represents a cornerstone of jiu-jitsu development, encouraging athletes to participate consistently in international championships whilst rewarding exceptional performers and season leaders. This framework cultivates higher technical standards and fosters a culture of professionalism throughout the sport.
Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of AJP, observed that the sustained robust participation across continents reflects the global standing the organisation has achieved and the confidence placed in its organisational and technical framework. He emphasised that AJP remains steadfastly committed to its vision of promoting jiu-jitsu, identifying emerging talent, developing future champions and providing professional platforms that enable athletes to progress through different competition levels according to the highest international standards.
Al Bahri noted that these championships directly strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global jiu-jitsu hub by attracting leading athletes and academies whilst expanding the sport’s practitioner base worldwide. He credited the continued success of these endeavours to the close supervision and strategic vision of Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union and First Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, whose leadership has established Abu Dhabi as a global reference point for the sport’s development.
Beyond organising competitions, AJP’s mission encompasses developing an integrated system that supports talent development, international competition and the emergence of future champions. Through its comprehensive global calendar, the organisation continues to promote professional competition, expand participation and support the long-term development of jiu-jitsu worldwide.
Source: WAM