With 8 medals in the under-16 division, the UAE begins their JJIF World Championship YOUTH 2023 campaign
At the JJIF World Championship YOUTH 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan, the UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team, supported by Mubadala Investment Company, got off to a good start by winning an outstanding eight medals in the Under-16 class.
In the 42 kg category, Ahmed Alshamsi gave the UAE its first championship gold. Obaid Alketbi, who won another gold in the 50 kg division, and Harib Alhammadi, who won gold in the 55 kg division, soon joined him on the podium.
The Under-16 athletes displayed great talent in their first international competition and came away with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, giving them a strong start in their title defence. On Tuesday, the first day of the four-day competition, Salem Alhamoud (+73 kg) and Adnan Alzarooni (60 kg) earned silver for the United Arab Emirates. Bronze medalists were Abdulaziz Alakidi (66 kg), Hamdan Alnajar (46 kg), and Eysa Alblooshi (38 kg).
The first day of championship competition saw 175 players from Kazakhstan, the tournament's host nation, take part. With 86 players, the UAE, which has won the last three competitions, is not far behind. Uzbekistan is closely followed by Greece, which holds onto the third spot, with 76 players.
The accomplishments made by the current Under-16 champions serve as proof of the effectiveness of the technical strategy developed by the UAEJJF to develop the skills of the next generation. This strategy has been crucial in nurturing the athletes' talent development and ultimately enabling them to win international titles.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation's deputy chairman, Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, remarked, "I express my congratulations to the Under-16 squad for their outstanding performance today. Despite the stiff competition, they have fared remarkably well. Jiu-jitsu's continued global expansion has resulted in notable growth for national teams and athletes, which has raised the standard of competition on the international stage. This successful conclusion is consistent with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation's objective to advance the sport internationally, which is demonstrated by our hosting of significant international competitions.
The UAE National Team is coming off impressive showings at the Asian Championship held in Thailand in February and the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship held in Mongolia in July, where they won crucial title victories. Their outstanding accomplishments were also felt at the Grand Prix competitions in Thailand and Paris. We have great faith in the team's ability to win more medals and trophies in the years to come since these accomplishments so clearly show where they are headed.
Al Dhaheri also expressed his sincere gratitude to the wise leadership of the UAE for their unwavering support of sports and sportsmen, calling it a firm foundation that has opened the door for achievements of this calibre.
Under-16 and Under-18 girls will compete on the second day of the event, and all competitors have successfully completed the official weigh-in procedures. The Under-16 team includes Heera Al Dhaheri (36kg), Maitha Al Neyadi (40kg), Shima Alnalamani (40kg), Ghala Al Hamadi (44kg), Fatima Al Katheri (44kg), Alanood Atwi (48kg), Najla Hashem (48kg), Kholoud Al Taher (52kg), Rawdha Al Ameri (52kg), Haneen Al Khouri (57kg), Jameela Al Rasbi (57kg), Taif Al Hammadi (63kg), Ayesha Al Junaibi (63kg), Shamma Al Azeezi (63+kg), and Fayza Al Shamesi (63+kg).
Additionally, the Under-18 team comprises Dana Al Buraiki (40kg), Rawdha Al Shamesi (40kg), Al Anoud Al Harbi (44kg), Hessa Al Yassi (44kg), Mariam Al Ali (48kg), Shamsa Ibrahim Al Amri (48kg), Zamzam Al Hammadi (52kg), Maitha Al Mzeeni (52kg), Hessa Al Muhairbi (57kg), Raja Al Muhairi (57kg), Kholoud Al Blooshi (63kg), Al Hanouf Al Marzouqi (63kg), Khawla Al Junaibi (63kg), Sara Al Rasbi (63kg), and Sara Al Otaiba (70+kg).
