Al Ain and Baniyas jiu-jitsu grapplers compete in men’s under-18 final this weekend at Mubadala Arena
Four clubs will compete for the men’s and women’s under-18 titles at the cash-rich Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup following the conclusion of the preliminary rounds at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City over the weekend.
The championships will be held on 14-15 April, with the various category winners receiving AED 1 million in total prizes.
Al Ain Club and Baniyas Club qualified for the championship in the men’s category after a convincing performance, while Al Wahda and Baniyas will fight for the women’s category title.
National team member Khaled Al Shehhi, the 2018 World Championship gold medallist who will banner Al Ain in the President’s Cup final, attributed his success to his father’s guidance.
“Our father taught us the fundamental principles of jiu-jitsu, including the importance of patience and perseverance to achieve our goals,” Al Shehhi said. “Jiu-jitsu has become a way of life for me and my brothers, and we have discovered countless other benefits for ourselves.”
Defending champion Baniyas Club, however, will be a tough customer for Al Ain. “The feeling of winning the championship and standing on the podium is incomparable,” said Baniyas Club player Balqees Abdulkareem, noting that the club is determined to defend the title this year.
“It’s an experience that we will never forget, and we have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality once again.”
Youssef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, commended the athletes from the different clubs for showcasing a high level of skill during the competition.
“The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup Championship is a priority for the athletes as it enables them to engage with a group of experienced players who have a long history in the sport,” he said.
“Since its inception seven years ago, the championship has been a driving force behind the motivation of local clubs to invest in the development of the next generation of players, and to continually improve their performance.”
Date
14-15 April
Location
Mubadala Arena, Zayed Sports City
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Image source UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation
