UAE Jiu-Jitsu Team Achieves Record Gold Haul at Asian Games
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team concluded its campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with an outstanding medal tally, securing five gold medals—the finest performance in the nation's jiu-jitsu history at the continental championship.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, has concluded its participation at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with eight medals in total, comprising five golds, two silvers and one bronze. This exceptional result represents the federation’s most successful Games campaign to date and reflects the sustained excellence that has become characteristic of UAE sporting endeavour.
The gold medallists were Balqees Alhashmi in the women’s 48kg category, Khaled Al Shehhi in the men’s 62kg, Ahmed Andeez in the men’s 69kg, Mahdi Al Awlaqi in the men’s 77kg and Asma Alhosani in the women’s 52kg. Al Anoud Al Harbi secured silver in the women’s 48kg, whilst Omar Al Suwaidi won silver in the men’s 62kg. Amaar Alhosani completed the medal haul with a bronze in the men’s 94kg division.
The achievement marks a significant progression in the UAE’s jiu-jitsu trajectory at the Asian Games. The federation secured two golds at Jakarta in 2018, progressed to four golds at Hangzhou in 2023, and has now attained the record five-gold milestone at Aichi-Nagoya. This steady ascent demonstrates the effectiveness of sustained investment in athlete development and comprehensive support systems.
Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, emphasised that the federation’s overarching objective is consistent excellence. He remarked that the team had achieved the targets established before the competition commenced, and attributed the success to meticulous planning, sustained commitment and the collective efforts of athletes, coaches and administrative personnel.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the federation, highlighted the comprehensive preparation undertaken in the months preceding the Games, encompassing technical, physical and mental conditioning alongside overseas training programmes. He underlined that the achievements represented a collective endeavour, with recognition extended to athletes, coaching staff, administrative teams and the families whose support has proved instrumental in developing world-class competitors.
Khaled Al Shehhi, the men’s 62kg champion, reflected on his second consecutive Asian Games gold and the profound honour of representing the UAE. He expressed his commitment to continuing the trajectory of success and maintaining the standards that have become synonymous with Emirati sport.
Al Anoud Al Harbi, the women’s 48kg silver medallist, welcomed her Asian Games debut and noted that the all-Emirati final in her category exemplified the depth of talent now evident within the nation’s jiu-jitsu programme. She acknowledged that her medal would serve as motivation for pursuing gold at forthcoming competitions.
Source: WAM News Agency
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