UAE Judo Triumphs at World Championships with Gold Medal Victory
The UAE national judo team has concluded an exceptional campaign at the World Championships in Baku, securing a gold medal and achieving a historic fifth place finish in the overall standings.
The UAE national judo team has concluded an exceptional campaign at the World Championships in Baku, securing a gold medal and achieving a historic fifth place finish in the overall standings among 93 participating nations. The championship, held from 4th to 10th October under the supervision of the International Judo Federation, witnessed 622 athletes competing at the highest echelon of the sport.
Yeliza Vita emerged as the architect of the UAE’s triumph, claiming gold in the women’s under-78kg category with a commanding performance that saw her prevail against French champion Kayla Isove in the final. Her victory proved particularly impressive given the formidable calibre of opposition, having navigated through a field of 44 international competitors to secure the championship.
The team’s medal haul reached two with the silver medal captured by Mohammed Bek in the under-73kg category, a result that underscores the depth of talent within the UAE judo contingent and represents a commendable achievement against the world’s most accomplished judokas.
Mohammed bin Thaloub Al-Darei, President of the UAE Judo Federation, characterised the achievement as a vindication of the federation’s strategic direction and a testament to the unwavering support extended by the UAE leadership. He emphasised that attaining fifth place in the world rankings for the inaugural time represents a significant milestone that reflects the federation’s sustained commitment to developing elite national athletes and fostering productive collaboration with clubs across the Emirates in cultivating judo excellence.
Looking ahead, Al-Darei highlighted the momentum generated by this achievement as the federation prepares to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026, scheduled to unfold from 29th to 31st October at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City under IJF supervision. This forthcoming event will provide another platform for the UAE’s athletes to showcase their prowess on an international stage.
Yeliza Vita herself expressed profound pride in securing the team’s maiden gold medal at the World Championships, attributing her success to the federation’s comprehensive support framework, world-class training infrastructure and opportunities to participate in elite international competitions that have enriched her competitive experience and preparation.
Source: WAM