Ten Thousand Warriors Converge on Abu Dhabi for the World’s Premier Jiu-Jitsu Stage

The 18th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship opens tomorrow at Mubadala Arena, drawing more than 10,000 athletes from 130 countries to compete for medals and a prize pool exceeding AED3 million over a fortnight of elite competition.

The measure of a sporting event’s maturity lies not in its ambition but in its consistency of purpose. The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, commencing tomorrow under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has spent nearly two decades cultivating the conditions for excellence, transforming from a nascent gathering into one of the martial world’s most significant annual assemblies.

What began in 2009 with 222 competitors from 32 nations at the International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City has evolved into a grand convergence. The inaugural edition saw Emirati athletes claim five gold medals among eighteen total, an early signal of the nation’s commitment to the sport. Now, in its eighteenth iteration, the championship welcomes more than 10,000 athletes representing 130 countries, with AED3 million distributed among champions and medallists across thirteen days of competition.

The growth reflects not mere numerical expansion but a deepening commitment to athletic development. In 2022, approximately 5,000 athletes participated; by 2023 this had risen to 7,000, followed by more than 9,000 in 2024. The previous year saw participation exceed 10,000, a threshold maintained this year. This trajectory speaks to the championship’s elevated standing within the global jiu-jitsu community.

The schedule unfolds with deliberate breadth. Monday opens with the Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship, featuring adult and masters blue belt divisions, followed Tuesday by white belt categories and the Para Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The Youth Championship runs from November 11 to 13, the Festival from November 14 to 16, the Masters Championship on November 17 and 18, and the Professional Championship on November 19 and 20, with the black belt grand finals concluding the competition on November 21. An awards ceremony follows on November 22.

The calibre of competitors reflects the championship’s international magnetism. Brazilian athlete Thiago Barreto returns to defend his remarkable record of eleven titles across adult and masters divisions, competing this year in the Masters 3 category. Brazilian black belt Gabriela Pereira, who won gold in the professional 55kg division last year, seeks to defend her title against formidable opposition. Their presence underscores the event’s capacity to draw the sport’s most accomplished athletes.

Emirati athletes have progressively strengthened their standing at this competition. Zayed Al Katheeri became the first Emirati to win a professional black belt gold medal in 2022, claimed silver in both 2023 and 2024, and returned to win his second gold in 2025. Khaled Al Shehhi won silver in the 62kg division last year, as did Mohammed Al Suwaidi at 69kg. Asma Al Hosani made history as the first Emirati woman to reach the final of the brown and black belt competition, claiming silver in the 55kg division. These achievements reflect the sustained investment in athlete development and competition standards.

As we reported in our earlier coverage of this championship, the event has become integral to Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a global centre for martial sport. The consistency of that vision, maintained by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and its organising partners, creates the framework within which champions are forged and younger athletes glimpse the heights achievable through discipline and dedication.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The championship’s evolution from a regional undertaking to a globally significant sporting calendar anchor underscores Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment in sport as a vehicle for international standing and community engagement. The presence of over 10,000 athletes and accompanying delegations, media representatives and spectators brings sustained economic activity, international profile and the intangible benefit of positioning the emirate as a place where excellence is recognised, nurtured and celebrated at the highest level.

Beyond the competition, the championship’s extended programming, inclusive categories spanning amateurs, youth, masters and para athletes, and family oriented activities signal a commitment to making jiu-jitsu accessible across ages and abilities. This breadth transforms the event from a spectator pageant into a genuine community engagement platform, encouraging younger generations to pursue the sport and strengthening jiu-jitsu’s grassroots presence throughout Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

Source: WAM News Agency

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